Posted on Wed, Nov 14, 2007 - Central Record of Medford, New Jersey

Dimilin makes sense in some cases

To the editor:

I did some research online in reference to the letter by Judith Mudrak on the Honey Bee Crisis. What I found was that the main reason for the decline of Honey Bees in the U.S. is not pesticide use, but is mostly the result of disease spread by non native mites and other parasites.

Non indigenous species are becoming a much greater threat to our ecosystem than all the pesticides combined. I also researched the company, "Nature's Wonders" which seems to be only in the initial start up stages of development. I found that they do not sell the product online, give costs or mention using the product for anything but fertilizer.I would like to know how many acres of oak trees Judith has on her property.

I have over 10 acres which adjoin hundreds more that are weak and dying. How can those folks with no personal firsthand experience with the destruction caused by these vermin be authorities on how to control them? What will be left to protect when the Pinelands is nothing but dead oaks? And once they are gone, the caterpillars will move on to devour the pines and other foliage. What about all the creatures that depend on the food and habitat they provide? Personal property and monetary loss aside, it's been proven that our wildlife and ecosystem will suffer overwhelming devastation from alien species if not stopped.

I have lived in the Pine Barrens for 30 years and have used Dimilin successfully several times. There has been no known adverse results on flora or fauna. I can find no evidence online or otherwise that there have been any documented ill effects from its use. It is used widely in fish ponds and only affects invertebrates that shed their skin. To my knowledge in this area, we have no crabs or crayfish to worry about. As my neighbor stated about the use of this highly effective product, "I wish they would realize that there are many places where Dimilin can be safely used, and some places where it probably shouldn't be. A blanket ban is idiotic."

Sandy Sandy

Tabernacle