john berry 5,636 Posted September 10, 2017 Share Posted September 10, 2017 I don't think I've ever seen bees with karaka poisoning with pollen on their legs . If the pollen is all the same then one or two pellets should be enough. Would you like me to pop round tomorrow and have a look. Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Stockley 3,417 Posted September 10, 2017 Author Share Posted September 10, 2017 1 hour ago, john berry said: I don't think I've ever seen bees with karaka poisoning with pollen on their legs . If the pollen is all the same then one or two pellets should be enough. Would you like me to pop round tomorrow and have a look. I'll put a few pellets in a snap lock bag and drop them to you. You're also welcome to call by if you're passing. Link to post Share on other sites
BJC 81 Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Good morning Rob, did you manage to follow up on what was ailing your bees and identify the problem. Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Stockley 3,417 Posted October 21, 2017 Author Share Posted October 21, 2017 2 hours ago, BJC said: Good morning Rob, did you manage to follow up on what was ailing your bees and identify the problem. The symptoms resembled karaka poisoning. I don't know of any nearby and besides don't think they would be flowering. I understand some varieties of kowhai have a narcotic effect on bees. My kowhai trees were certainly flowering but no idea if they are the narcotic variety. Also with three large Kowhai in full bloom I would expect to see more hives affected. Ultimately I will never know what they got into. I expect the source was some distance way away such that only two colonies got onto it. They probably lost a few thousand bees but you wouldn't think so too look at them now. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
john berry 5,636 Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 I am waiting for the pollen scientist to return from holiday but I have sent the samples from the deceased bees in for analysis so hopefully one day we will have more idea what was going on. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Jas 438 Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 I've got close to 30 hives affected , some with a few lumps of bees , some with lots . 1 Link to post Share on other sites
john berry 5,636 Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Absolutely 100% classic karaka poisoning. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Jaspur M 65 Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 What are the chances of bees being poisoned from kowhai? I have a site full of kowhai that i was looking at for a queen rearing site, should i be weary of putting my hives there? Link to post Share on other sites
john berry 5,636 Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 I have seen bees get very cranky and irrational on kowhai but I have never seen it do any harm. I do know other people that have had problems and I wonder if it is because there are quite a few varieties some of which may be more toxic. It definitely affects birds like tui some years more than others but round here anyway it is a far more benefit than not. It must be remembered that any spring source that attracts bees can lead to losses in inclement weather but those of the risks you take. Link to post Share on other sites
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