An aerial pesticide is being sprayed throughout South Carolina county in order to get better control of Zika-infected mosquitoes in the state. This is an attempt to keep the mosquitoes from spreading and growing, but has resulted in the death of millions of honeybees. As of now, no one in the state has been infected with Zika through a mosquito.
“On Saturday, it was total energy, millions of bees foraging, pollinating, making honey for winter,” beekeeper Juanita Stanley said. “Today, it stinks of death. Maggots and other insects are feeding on the honey and the baby bees who are still in the hives. It’s heartbreaking.”
If the Zika virus continues to rise and spread, this tragedy could very well be repeated all throughout the country in hopes killing these mosquitoes, and consequently killing honeybees, will hep protect citizens.
The pesticide used in South Carolina is called Naled and is an organophosphate, which was originally created as biological warfare agents. The EPA says the spray does not pose a risk to human health, but advises people stay indoors while the chemical is being sprayed.
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