What to do if you suspect a pesticide kill:
If you think your bees have been killed by the possible misuse of a pesticide, you need to report it immediately. Here is a link to the CDA website. This is the page with all the FAQ’s on an apiary claim. Please, whether you have 2 hives or 2000, REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION! It is extremely important.
Next, document your losses.
Take photos and video. Be sure to turn on the time/date stamp on your camera.
Take samples and put them in your freezer right away.
Contact your regional association, if you are a member of one. If not, contact me at president@coloradobeekeepers.org so I can stay in the loop.
Keep a diary of all contacts made and be sure to note with whom you spoke and what day you did it. We have had issues with a lack of timeliness in the past that we want to make sure do not occur in the future.
Hopefully, you will not need to request an investigation this summer or any summer–but now you know how to do it.
