Save the Bees
VECTOR SPRAYING
For general distribution to all beekeepers in the Midlands:
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Please see and use the following resources to help prevent another bee kill incident.
PLEASE COMMUNICATE with one another to protect pollinators and human health.
Clemson University Department of Plant Industry (DPI):
https://www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/plant-industry/
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Clemson University Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR):
https://www.clemson.edu/public/regulatory/pesticide-regulation/index.html
SC does not have a mandatory hive registry. As a result, it is imperative that beekeepers sign up for pesticide notifications.
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Below are links to local mosquito control contacts.
http://www.scdhec.gov/HomeAndEnvironment/Insects/Mosquitoes/LocalMosquitoControl/
Mosquito Control Contact Numbers:
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It is prudent for beekeepers to notify their local mosquito control departments to request placement on their "No Spray" list. Also, included here is the link to the list maintained by Clemson which is made available to private companies licensed to apply pesticides.
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Contact your local mosquito/vector control office to keep your honeybees as safe as possible during mosquito spraying season.
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In Lexington County, contact:
Lexington County Vector Control 803-785-8440.
Email Mr. David Mitchum at: dmitchum@lex-co.com
In Richland County, Contact the Ombudsman office at 929-6000. 'Let them know you are a beekeeper and where your hives are located for Vector Control to update their records. They will pass the information on to us and an inspector will come visit you so they may see how the hives are placed in order to properly mark our maps. If your hives are located at a remote site in the country where there’s no way that a mist from a spray truck could get anywhere near it, still let us know where the hives are located. In the event of an emergency such as a hurricane or flood we may need to use air planes for spraying. If so, we will contact you and work with you to protect your hives during the emergency response.' Source: Richland County > Residents > Vector Control > Beekeeper Information (richlandcountysc.gov)
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In Batesburg-Leesville, contact: Mosquito Control Program at (803) 532-5405
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In Calhoun County / Saint Matthews area, call Calhoun County Mosquito Control at 803-874-2914.
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**For a list of various Vector Control offices in other areas visit this link:
http://www.scdhec.gov/HomeAndEnvironment/Insects/Mosquitoes/LocalMosquitoControl/
Issues related to bee kills and to report inappropriate use of pesticides in SC may be reported to Clemson's Department of Pesticide Regulatory (not Plant Industry Apiary Inspectors). http://www.clemson.edu/public/regulator
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Excerpts from Clemson Update on Honey Bees: