How can we protect Bees while controlling mosquitos

Bees play invaluable roles in the eco-system. What would life be without these helpful insects?

Well, for one, you wouldn’t be seeing as many colorful flowers as you would normally do. You see, bees help pollinate flowers. In turn, this facilitates floral growth. And although the pollination of the flowers is the least of a bee’s concern, it is still a vital function.

But perhaps more importantly, a world without bees means less food for the planet’s inhabitants, including humans.

The next time you have dinner, take a look at the food on your table. It is highly likely that bees contributed directly or indirectly to the production of the food you are about to eat.

Apart from facilitating floral growth, the pollination of flowers leads to the production of different types of fruits and vegetables. Indirectly, bees help provide for other types of food that you eat, especially meats. Livestock feed upon the vegetables and fruits produced as an offshoot of bee pollination.

Apart from that, bees also produce other products as well, including beeswax and honey.

Today, experts are expressing concern over the alarming rate of the disappearance of bees, notably the honey bees. According to these experts, the primary culprit for the dwindling population of this insects are pesticides.

Over the past few decades, people have relied on pesticides to control the population of different types of pests, including mosquitos. But the adverse side effect of the use of these chemicals is the death of other types of insects, including those that are beneficial, like bees.

Apart from pesticides, other causes of the declining honey bee population include the loss of their habitat, diseases, and parasites.

Protecting bees while controlling mosquitos are not two divergent ideas. In fact, these two goals can be achieved hand in hand.

If you are a budding beekeeper, here are a few things that you can do to protect your bee colony.

Contact your local mosquito control experts

Reach out to your Mosquito Control District or MCD and ask about the pesticides they use in controlling mosquitos. After that, you can request that they use chemicals that are less harmful to bees. However, be aware that it is a common practice for pest control experts to use different types of pesticides in order to prevent mosquitos from developing an immunity from these.

Request for the application of pesticides around nighttime

Mosquitos tend to be active during nighttime when bees no longer fly around. If possible, request the MCD to schedule the application of pesticides later in the evening to minimize the risks posed against bees.

Work with the pros

It would also be beneficial for both parties to work together. During the scheduled application of pesticides, you can inform the MCD personnel about areas where the pesticides need to be applied.

Take active steps to protect your colony

Remember that the primary duty of the MCD is to control the mosquito population. They may take into account your recommendations but it is still your responsibility to protect your colony.

To learn more about how to control pests in your home or business, be sure to contact your local Modesto pest control company.