It is well known that bee survival is an extremely important matter of global concern. Unfortunately, recent reports from the United Kingdom have claimed that bees are under threat due to the unusually wet summer experienced in the country. Indeed, the UK government has a dedicated National Bee Unit which has issued emergency advice to beekeepers warning them that bees are at an increased risk of starvation this summer. People are being urged to leave out extra supplies of sweet substances such as sugar or syrup.
Fortunately, it is easy to source bee supplies as specialist retailers are well placed, ready, and waiting to deal with emergency demands. The Bereio Mill beekeeper in Callington, Ivan Callanan, claims that the honey production from his hives is down by up to 50% this year. Understandably this is having a negative effect on his honey making business, so other beekeepers should be doing everything they can to avoid experiencing a similar crisis.
Bees are affected by rain for two main reasons which you should bear in mind when stocking up on bee equipment. Firstly, heavy rain can damage many of the flowers which bees feast on such as fruit blossom. A lack of flowers means a lack of food, and inevitably many bees will begin to starve. Secondly, it is extremely difficult for bees to fly and reach food when it is raining heavily as the water will drag them down. Bee supplies such as specialist winter bee feed fondant can help counter both these problems.
It is said that winter colony numbers within England decreased last year by 16.2%. Beekeepers will be ready and waiting with the best bee equipment to help ensure that the same thing does not repeat itself this year. Look after the bees and they will look after us!