How to Report Bee Kills
The experience of finding your bees dead in piles is devastating. One tempting response is to withdraw from a hobby that causes such a painful experience. Another response is to recognize that – as stewards of our environment – much work remains to be done and that courageous individuals can make a difference.
Before there can be any legislation to protect honey bees, there must be evidence that bee kills occur with enough regularity to enact legislation in the first place. That is why beekeepers should report all bee kills at state and federal levels.
In the state of Georgia, report bee kills to Rachel Futch at the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Phone is 470-270-3044 or rachel.futch@agr.georgia.gov. (Any issues check https://www.agr.georgia.gov/pesticides.aspx for the Pesticide Complaints and Enforcement contact.)
National Pesticide Information Center for additional federal level reporting:
https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/report-bee-kills
- The email address for the Environmental Protection Agency is beekill@epa.gov.
- Here’s the link for the National Pesticide information center. http://npic.orst.edu/eco/
Additional Resources
- The Honey Bee Health Coalition Quick Guide to Reporting a Bee Kill Incident is available to help beekeepers report an incident to the State, the EPA, and pesticide manufacturers as well as how to obtain non-governmental help.
- The Pollinator Stewardship Council can be of great help in reporting bee kill incidences.
