In Good Thyme - by Mariana Graham

Appeared in the June 20th issue of Whidbey News Times

Last week I was browsing through one of those coupon inserts that come in the Sunday "Seattle Times," where I saw a half-page ad with a bold headline reading "No More Bees!" The ad hawked a yellow, hive-shaped trap that invites the reader to "Discover the joy of a bug-free environment" with a hanging, sugar-water contraption. It claimed to be effective on bees, wasps, and yellow jackets.

Those of us who garden know all too well that we ought to be protecting our bees, not eliminating them. The sharp decline of both native and European honey bees in the past few years is evident in increasing crop loss due to lack of pollination. We humans may consider ourselves to be technologically superior beings, but we still count on the lowly honey bee to pollinate plants as they've done since the beginning of life on earth. Vegetables, fruits, and many ornamentals rely on bees to set fruit. Even some plants that are considered self-pollinating get a boost from bees.

Most people don't purposely try to kill bees, but by using chemicals aimed at other insects, they may unknowingly be hurting them. Even if bees aren't killed outright by insecticides, their immune systems are compromised by it. This makes them more susceptible to a predatory mite that has devastated more than 90% of our honey bee population. If it was another, more visible creature that was so endangered - the dog, for instance -- a decline of over 90% would get a lot more attention.

According to Mary Robson, horticultural agent for Washington State University/King County Cooperative Extension, some insecticides should never be used where bees work. Says Robson, "One of the worst is the granular form of an insecticide with the common name carbaryl, sold as Sevin. Bees can carry the granules back and annihilate the entire hive."

Rose insecticides are other major offenders. Be sure to read labels thoroughly. If you must use the stuff, try to do so at dusk, after bees have departed the plant. Keep sprays off flowers, in particular. Better yet, avoid chemicals altogether. Use an insecticidal soap or a product made from pyrethrum, a plant byproduct. Aphids can be washed off foliage with the hose nozzle set at "gentle." Ladybugs and their little alligator look-alike larvae gobble aphids like some of us do chocolate. So do lacewings. Both can be purchased in bulk at full-service nurseries.

Another way to promote pollination is to attract our native, nonstinging Orchard Mason Bee. Smaller and more slender than most bees, this iridescent black creature can be enticed to nest in your garden in bee boxes, sold with complete instructions at most nurseries.

Most garden insects are "good" bugs, and bees are at the top of the list. Without bees, the world would be an ugly - and hungry - place. We gardeners must do our part to protect them as best we can. I plan to send a copy of this column to the marketers of the "No More Bees" gadget. If I receive a reply, I'll share it with you.

MASTER GARDENER CLINICS
Master Gardener plant clinics are being held at various Island locations throughout the summer. On the north end, bring questions and plant samples to The Greenhouse Nursery each Saturday in July from 9 a.m. to noon, Cenex on Aug. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or the Navy Exchange Garden Shop June 23 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In Central Whidbey, it's at the Coupeville Farmers Market each Saturday through the end of July from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
South end clinics include Freeland Ace Hardware from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 23, July 28, Aug. 25 and Sept. 22. You can also find Master Gardeners at South Whidbey Tilth on July 7, Aug. 4, and Sept. 1 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Clinics are held at Bayview Farm and Garden June 23 and 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28; Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25. Clinics may be scheduled at other locations when volunteers and resource materials are available. 'Can't make it to a plant clinic? Call the Master Gardener hotline (360) 679-7327 each Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through the end of September. Garden questions or comments? Call 675-6611, e-mail wnt@whidbey.net. Mariana Graham is a Master Gardener and member of Garden Writers Association of America.