Please sign petition to ban neonicotinoid pesticides!

The Petition Site now has a petition that you can signto ban IMD and other neonicotinoid pesticides in your state or in the U.S.   http://www.petitiononline.com/savebees Please comment that we need to ban its use in GMO crop seeds that are engineered to have the pesticide right in the seed (including the Bt) and all methods of application and for all uses including flea collars, flea sprays, termite sprays and home and building  insect exterminator applications.  Also please refer to Michael Schacker’s book, “A Spring Without Bees”.  No other book has been as clear about this or has given as much documentation to prove the link between pesticides and massive bee die off and no other book explains organic practices as the real answer to the problem.  If you have trouble finding where to sign the petition go to:  http://www.petitiononline.com/savebees/petition-sign.html 

Posted by Barbara Dean Schacker for Michael

Alternatives and Solutions

Though there are many solutions and alternatives given in the book, here are some new web sites you might find helpful. Please post comments with your solutions and alternatives or links to helpful web sites here!

Wild pollinators need protection too

Organic Lawn and Garden Pest Control
Helpful page from East Texas Landscaping Ways to deter ticks are also noted on this page.

Alternatives to Fipronil-based flea and tick solutions for pets
Solutions from PAW-Rescue.org Fipronil is a neonicotinoid discussed in the book, A Spring Without Bees. It is dangerous to humans, especially young children and unborn children.

Another Spring Without Bees

The new paperback edition of “A Spring Without Bees” is coming out in early May. It has a different cover–a little more to the point maybe than the hardcover one.

As not enough has been done to stop the use of neonicotinic pesticides like IMD and clothianidin as well as implementing natural solutions to deal with other causes and all other factors of honeybee die-off, it looks like another “Spring Without Bees”. We have so much work to do this year!

California and the west coast are reporting heavy losses. In addition, the UK is having a huge problem with CCD. However, the Northeast United States is reporting fewer hive losses this spring than expected. We are located in Willow, New York and worked hard to build a network in our region and get the information out last year. Is this because of the book and the work we did in the Northeast last year? It is hard to say for sure, but we think so!

We have several regional events coming up in May to celebrate the paperback edition. Sign up for our email list if you would like to get the newsletter and calendar of events. I can also send you a beautiful flyer to post in bookstores or libraries if you ask for it. We hope you’ll take a vacation to the Catskills and come to one of these events. Michael Schacker has recovered enough to make short trips and might be able to attend some of the events. We would love to meet you!

This is going to be a critical year for saving the bees. We must reach out to all areas of the world and send messages to beekeepers, libraries, bookstores, agricultural departments, university research projects and the government at all levels. We’ve got to get the word out. One of the best ways to do that is to make sure the paperback edition of “A Spring Without Bees” is a success this year! For those interested, free review copies are available from the publisher. Contact: Bob Sembiante at robert.sembiante@globepequot.com 203-458-4555 These are for anyone wanting to write an article or review or do some other kind of project about the book.

Thanks for all your hard work and support everyone!
–Barbara, PlanBEECentral April 2009

Get your waggle dance instructions!

Plan Bee Special Report will give you an idea how you can be part of Plan Bee.   This report gives the major concerns and courses of action highlighted in Plan Bee, Chapter Fifteen of A Spring Without Bees.  Whether it’s a simple action like getting rid of your toxic lawn chemicals and using organic lawn practices or petitioning the government to change, everyone will find out they can do something.

 In addition, you will find out why reading the book can make you an expert “Bee Saver”.