posted 10-11-2000 09:43 AM            

Odd, odorless gunk irks valley homeowners

Earthbound brown droppings have plagued areas since June

By Sean Deter - Idaho Press-Tribune

MERIDIAN — Standing on the deck behind her home on View Point Drive, looking north toward the pale green of a Treasure Valley farmer’s field, Sharon Paris extends her right arm to the sky.

“I’ve tried to imagine that stuff flying through the sky,” she says. “It started coming down in June and was heaviest in July and August. I think it’s slowing down now.

“But it’s a nuisance, and it’s a mess.”

Paris does a half-turn and trots toward the north wall of her house, where the effects of a summer’s falling “stuff” become apparent: The white vinyl siding that greets Paris is covered in thousands of tear-like brown splotches.

“I’d like to find out what it is,” she says. “It’s definitely directional — headed north to south — and it’s mostly hitting the north side of the house, but it’s coming over the house and hitting the car, too.”

There’s no rhyme or reason to the filthy, odor phenomenon, according to Paris.

“It could happen at anytime,” she says. “I’ve been out reading the paper in the morning, and it plops down on the paper. I’ve had parties out on the deck and it plops down on my guests. You’ll see it land and if you touch it the substance just smears.”

Paris is among a host of Treasure Valley homeowners who have been affected by the unexplained occurrences. Neighborhoods in Meridian and Middleton have been plagued by the mysterious droppings since June, and there has been one unconfirmed case in Nampa.

But the Department of Environmental Quality hasn’t been able to explain what’s going on.

Laboratory tests have confirmed that there is pollen in the substance, which indicates that it has a plant origin, but as one DEQ official put it, “How it gets to where it’s getting, I don’t know.” Tests have also isolated ethanol, complex sugars and starches in the falling ooze, and the DEQ assures residents that there’s no health threats associated with it.

posted 10-12-2000 01:41 PM            

Here's an flimsy attempt by Idaho's capital newspaper to cover-up the news:

October 12, 2000

Middleton mystery: Brown gunk from bees?

By Kendra Martinez
The Idaho Statesman

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MIDDLETON -- Something dirty is coming down in West Ada and Canyon counties. And it could be coming from bees.

For the past four months, residents say their homes, cars, flowers and plants have been hit by a brown and odorless substance falling from the sky.

Officials from the Department of Environmental Quality say they think the material is being deposited by some sort of insect -- most likely bees.

Tests have been conducted at two locations in both counties. At both sites, researchers found a number of beehives in nearby pastures.

Researchers theorize that while bees are buzzing around, they are leaving something extra for residents.

"It's all a big mystery," said Middleton resident Barbara Jardine. "At first I thought it was mud, but then I was noticing it everywhere."

When freshly fallen, the stuff smears. When dry, it can easily be removed with a fingernail from some surfaces and scraped or scrubbed off from others.

Jardine noticed the gunk for the first time last week. Others say it was much worse during the summer.

"I've lived in Middleton for 10 years," said Jardine. "And I've never seen anything like it."

Analysis on the material reveals it contains pollen, maltose and digested simple sugars.

"Lab tests have ruled out that it's anything dangerous such as E. coli or coliform," said Michael Toole, environmental science specialist with the Department of Environmental Quality.

The material has been sent to the University of Idaho's agricultural office for more testing.

They should be able to confirm with certainty whether they are dealing with plant or insect material, said Toole.

Some residents initially believed the gunk could have been from airplanes, vandals or trees. Toole said he received about 10 phone calls from residents wanting to know what they were dealing with. Safety was their main concern.

posted 11-14-2000 09:07 AM            

Mystery Solved
Brown Substance Splattered on Idaho Identified as Bee Waste

The Associated Press

MIDDLETON, Idaho, Nov. 8 — The mystery substance that fell from the skies over Meridian, Middleton and Caldwell during the summer has been positively identified as bee waste.
The brown and odorless substance splattered homes, cars, flowers and plants for about four months, leaving a mark on everything it touched.
Officials from the Department of Environmental Quality suspected that the material was coming from an insect.
Prime Conditions for Excess Poop
At two sites tested in Ada and Canyon counties, researchers found a number of beehives in neighboring pastures, meaning that large numbers of bees were in areas hit hard by the brown stuff. Recent tests conducted at the University of Idaho’s agricultural extension office made it official.

“Isn’t that a kick?” Middleton resident Barbara Jardine said. “I’m surprised, but definitely relieved.”

Test results show that the harmless material is comprised mainly of pollen resin, said Michael Toole, an environmental science specialist with the Department of Environmental Quality.

Residents in Meridian, Middleton and Caldwell are finally experiencing a reprieve as honeybees hit their hives for the winter.

The Treasure Valley’s mild winter last year provided prime conditions for the bees this summer, leading to the excess waste.

posted 11-14-2000 09:42 AM            

Of course, it is. So in order to prove that, you must be willing to take the next step and prove otherwise.