Fire ants a concern with bee deliveries
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

While a benefit to Texas' agriculture economy, state inspectors are making sure each colony of bees being sent to California is fire ant free as part of a compliance agreement between the two states. State Entomologist Dr. Shashank Nilakeh of the Texas Agriculture Department said the state started checking hives for fire ants and other pests almost a decade ago and continues to do checks.

"We do the inspections for them and I hope they are doing the same kind of inspections for us," Nilakeh said. "About seven or eight years ago, imported fire ants were shipped to California with some hives. At the time they didn't have any fire ants in the state and they didn't want any. So we inspect the hives to see if any ants are present."

Nilakeh said the inspections are just part of the prevention plan used by Texas to avoid shipping agricultural and other pests along with the bees.

"Each of those participating in the (bee lease) arrangements have to sign a compliance agreement," the bug expert said.

"It includes certain sanitation practices, having no dirt or debris on the hives and hives that are in good condition. We know most of the bee keepers that are doing the shipping and they've signed compliance agreements. In August, we have them designate a loading area that they treat with insecticides to eliminate any ant colonies. In general, the process works very well."

Local bee keeper A.J. Fucik is among those leasing his bees to a California almond orchard. In preparing for shipping, he prepared pallets to load the bees on and then stacked the pallets on cardboard sheets to prevent infestations. If any mud was lifted with the pallet during the loading process, it had to be removed to protect the integrity of the transport.

"Even a little mud can cause a shipment to be quarantined at the border," he said.

"And if you get the wrong kind of weather, it can kill off a lot of the bees."