Clemson Extension to conduct private pesticide-applicator training

CHEROKEE — The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service will conduct a private pesticide applicator training from 8:30 a.m. to noon May 12 at the Cherokee County Extension office at 1100 W. Floyd Baker Blvd., Gaffney. The training is open to anyone who wants to obtain a private pesticide-applicator's license. The cost is $50.

A private-applicator license in South Carolina is required for those who want to buy restricted-use pesticides for the use in the production of agricultural commodity products from farms, nurseries, greenhouses and forests on land that they or their employers own, rent or lease.

To register, call the Clemson Extension office in Gaffney at 864-489-3141.

Help Protect Honey Bees from Pesticides

Help protect our valuable honey bees from pesticides,” said Mike Hood, Clemson Extension entomologist and state apiculturist. “Honey bees are our most beneficial insect.”

The estimated value of honey bee pollination in the United States is $14 billion, according to Hood. Many commercially grown crops in South Carolina are heavily dependent on honey bees for good pollination. Annual farm cash receipts of honey bee pollinated crops harvested in the state are estimated at $25 million. This doesn’t include home-grown vegetables and fruits and plants for wildlife.

Some of the fruits and vegetables that are highly dependent on bees for pollination are apples, cantaloupes, cucumbers, squash, strawberries and watermelon.

“Many pesticides are extremely toxic to bees,” Hood said. “These pesticides will have a bee protection warning statement on the label. The pesticide applicator should always review the product label directions carefully before each use and follow the guidelines to protect our pollinators, which include bumble bees as well.”

The kind and amount of pesticides are important, according to Hood. They should be used only when necessary, especially if flowering plants are present that are attractive to bees. Hood recommends the following if it is necessary to use pesticides:

• Select the least toxic pesticide and the least hazardous method of application.
• Granular pesticide formulations are safest.
• Directed sprays applied with ground equipment are the next safest method.
• Aerially applied dusts or sprays are the most likely to cause problems.
• Apply pesticides when the air is calm to reduce drift into areas where bees may be foraging or nesting.
• Apply in the late afternoon or evening when bees are not present.
• If managed bee colonies are present, it is best to give the beekeeper three to four days notice of your intentions to apply pesticides. Beekeepers are advised to cooperate with growers to help protect bees.

“Many of the pesticides used to kill mosquitoes will also kill honey bees,” Hood said. “Beekeepers are urged to contact officials who manage mosquito abatement programs to inform them of the location of their apiaries, so their honey bees can be protected.”

Hood recommends using integrated management recommendations whenever possible to minimize harmful effects to our beneficial insects.

For more information, contact Hood at 864-0346 or mhood@clemson.edu.

hase II of the SC Waste Pesticide Recovery begins in the Upstate

Hugh Weathers, Commissioner of Agriculture, announces that the South Carolina Waste Pesticide Recovery Program is now moving into Upstate South Carolina. Old, outdated, unusable or unwanted pesticides will be collected from farmers, foresters, nurserymen, and landowners from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday - Thursday, February 3 – 5 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday, February 10 and 12, and from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, February 11.

Phase I of our collection program began with selected sites in the lower part of the state. “We are now moving to the Anderson and Gramling areas next week and Newberry and Chester the following week,” said Commissioner Weathers. “In the first two weeks of the recovery program this fall,” he said, “we collected over 180,000 pounds of pesticides.” A fully permitted waste collection vendor is removing these pesticides from farms and disposing them in a safe and proper manner. There is no charge for this service and registration is not required. All information associated with this program is confidential.

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture secured state and federal funds to administer this much needed program. “I appreciate the assistance of partners such as the SC Farmer Bureau and farm suppliers in helping make this happen,” Commissioner Weathers said.

All agricultural pesticides, labeled or not, may be brought to one of the sites on the dates designated.
Pesticides include insecticides, herbicides, nematicides, fungicides and other similar products used in commercial agricultural production. No fertilizers, household chemicals, compressed cylinders or empty containers will be accepted.

Participants are urged to bring all materials to the site in the safest manner possible. Enclose all loose materials or leaking containers in plastic bags. If special circumstances exist that require pickup on site, contact Larry Boyleston, Assistant Commissioner, SC Department of Agriculture, 803-734-2191, lboylest@scda.sc.gov to make arrangements.

The program also includes an education component to provide information on proper management, handling and use of pesticides.

In our area:
Thursday, February 12
9 am-3 pm
Chester
Carolina Eastern