The Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation will begin conducting eradication activities in and around production cotton fields, beginning December 19, 2022. All cotton fields will be mapped, and treatment will begin during the 2022 cotton growing season. Field entry and treatment is expected to last until all cotton is harvested in the eradication zones.
The eradication zones include the following ten counties in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV): Brooks, Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, Maverick, Starr, Webb, Willacy, and Zapata.
To mitigate risk, all beekeepers should notify the Foundation of beehive locations near cotton fields. The Foundation will monitor treatments in these locations where bees are present to ensure the security of hives and will notify you prior to Foundation chemical treatments upon your request, so that steps may be taken to protect the safety of the hives.
For more information regarding this program and to notify the Foundation of hive locations, please call the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation at 1-800-687-1212.
Taylor Powell
CHIEF APIARY INSPECTOR
