Balsam starting to flower

[madasafish]

I recall a lady form the organisation looking to control HB posting on here - two years ago? - and saying they might desist due to the impact it has on bees welfare.

On the other hand, they may just have run out of money...

 

[Erichalfbee]

The problem if they introduce these natural controls will be if they jump species imagine the introduced insect taking a fancy to some other commercial crop

Cane Toads spring to mind

 

[ShaneR]

I wouldn't be holding my breath waiting for an onslaught on HB starting, it is officially classed as naturalised now, read that as here to stay and near on impossible to even attempt eradication.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I wouldn't be holding my breath waiting for an onslaught on HB starting, it is officially classed as naturalised now, read that as here to stay and near on impossible to even attempt eradication.

Exhale then - Organisations are alrady getting grants (albeit small ) to set up eradication programmes. I think a lot of the schemes are aimed at preventing spread as much as eradication - cutting back before flowering etc. But they are also being funded to take chemical handling courses etc.

 

[ShaneR]

Even so, mark my words it is so well established in this country no part time efforts or grants are going to shift it, yes they might make am impact in small areas, the only way they will shift the stuff now is if they could create something that could be spread country wide and ONLY target HB, not going to happen is it The fact that the powers that be have labelled it naturalised infers they have little hope of totally eradicating it. It will be here for many years to come The powers that be aim is to control it, eradication and control are two different things.

 

[The Cumbrian]

I wouldn't be holding my breath waiting for an onslaught on HB starting, it is officially classed as naturalised now, read that as here to stay and near on impossible to even attempt eradication.

Have you got a reference for that as I would like to read it.

 

[thepliedes]

Don't knock an evolutionary success! Nature can't be controlled. Work with it. Our plants are not producing as much nectar as they should because of little sun. This plant produces enough to satisfy our bees at a time when they need it. It is fit to survive for a purpose. Nature wastes nothing.

 

[ShaneR]

Have you got a reference for that as I would like to read it.

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=480

 

[TOBY-3652]

wish someone would send some over here we havent got any here

 

[The Cumbrian]

Thanks for the reference ShaneR.