The effects of drought on bees and beekeeping

High temperatures and scarcity of water put a strain on hives during the summer

Extreme heat and drought have always been great enemies of bees. In recent years, bees have had to face great difficulties including pollution and the arrival of new predators.

Researchers have found that the number of bees has decreased significantly in the world in recent years and that this trend is continuing to grow. Surely the high temperatures this summer combined with long periods of drought are not improving the situation.

In summer the hives get hot, the bees struggle to cool their house and the beekeepers have to intervene much more frequently. The drought has led to a sharp decrease in nectar sources.

The lack of water has affected the development of many plants from which bees feed. Bees are animals that are greatly affected by the environmental crisis. Their weakening causes irreversible damage and makes them more vulnerable to being infected with pathogens and parasites.

Let's not forget that bees are the pollinating insects par excellence and that they do a very important job for our planet. Without the work of bees, much of the food we have available today would disappear.

What if there are no beekeepers?

Beekeepers play a very important role today. Even if the colonies are weakened or in distress, beekeepers try to provide them with everything they need by providing food and water as much as possible.

Obviously when bees are fed by beekeepers (through sugary substances), the workers do not directly take nectar from plants and flowers and the production of honey decreases. The scarce availability of flowers and "bee-friendly" plant species inevitably led to a decrease in honey production which today is considered even more a valuable product.

The role of beekeepers is now more important than ever in order to protect a species that is very important for our planet and to maintain the balance of ecosystems.

If the beekeepers weren't there, the bees would be in even more trouble. Today, breeders are able to greatly facilitate the survival of domestic bees . The wild bees on the other hand find themselves having to survive alone and are not always able to cope with difficulties and climatic imbalances.

The situation of wild bees

It must be said that not all bees react to heat in the same way. Some species are more sensitive than others and for this reason scientists are trying as much as possible to monitor hives, especially those in the wild. Bees that are found free in nature find it more difficult to survive.

How do bees survive the heat?

Bees live in a very confined environment considering that tens of thousands of individuals live in each hive. During the summer heat it is very important that the swarms are able to maintain a cool temperature. But how do bees cool the hive ?

To do this, bees need water. Some of the worker bees go outside in search of water and carry small drops at a time. The bees then arrange the collected water on the sides of the cells, creating a real layer of water. After spreading the water evenly over the cells, the bees carry out the ventilation process through the synchronized movement of the wings.

The ventilation allows the water to evaporate and disperse, creating flows of fresher air. Water is as important for bees as it is for us humans. Drought periods can make it difficult for bees who cannot find a way to cool down.

How to help bees in the summer

Bees find themselves fighting against the lack of nectar sources in addition to heat and the absence of water. During this period many bees are undernourished and weakened.

What beekeepers can do to help bees in summer is to provide water sources from which bees can draw water. Beekeepers usually place watering troughs for bees near the hives or, in any case, containers that can offer all the water the swarms need.

In addition to this, it is very important to move the hives and place the apiary in more shaded areas. The ideal would be to find a place located near deciduous species that can provide enough shade.

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