Main points
- In the Chernivtsi region, beekeepers report a mass death of bees that began after fields were treated with agrochemicals.
- The death of flying bees threatens the existence of hives and could have long-term consequences for the agricultural sector, as bees play a key role in pollination.
Why are bees dying / Photo Unsplash
In Bukovina, beekeepers report a mass death of bees and significant losses to farms. The main cause is the treatment of fields and gardens with chemicals during flowering.
Beekeepers record mass bee deaths
In the village of Zarozhany, Chernivtsi region, beekeepers have encountered a large-scale death of bees, reports “Molody Bukovynets”. According to beekeeper Vyacheslav Khmelynsky, the situation has deteriorated sharply since mid-April, when mass losses in hives began to be recorded.
The beekeeper says that together with his son he keeps about 280 bee colonies. This spring the farm suffered catastrophic losses.
At first I thought it was just one colony that had weakened, but within a few days it started happening en masse. I lifted the housings, and the bees were no longer flying – they were just crawling and dying,
– the beekeeper notes.
According to him, he had to remove the dead insects and bury them: “I've already buried 11 ten-kilogram buckets of dead bees. 95% of my apiary has been destroyed, and this is my job.”
Chemical treatments may be the cause
Beekeepers are convinced that the main cause of death was the treatment of fields and gardens with agrochemicals during the flowering period or during prohibited times. It is during this period that bees actively collect nectar and pollen, and therefore are most exposed to toxic substances.
The greatest losses were suffered by the so-called flying bees – the worker bees that provide food for the entire colony. Their death actually threatens the existence of the hive.
The young bee remained, but all the flight bees died. This means that the colony is sharply weakened and may not recover,
– explains the beekeeper.
Experts emphasize that such incidents can have long-term consequences not only for beekeepers, but also for the agricultural sector as a whole, as bees play a key role in crop pollination.
Important! According to the law “On Beekeeping”, farmers must notify beekeepers in advance of the planned chemical treatment. After such notification, apiary owners can take the bees to a safe place in advance or temporarily isolate them.
Frosts hit the sweet cherry: how much harvest could Ukraine lose?
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Spring frosts damaged orchards in Ukraine, with Transcarpathia, the southern and central regions being hit hardest, but about 50% of the sweet cherry harvest can be saved.
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Due to deteriorating pollination conditions and a possible second frost, cherry prices may increase by 30-50% in the new season.
An additional problem for gardeners has been the deterioration of pollination conditions. Due to the cold weather, bees remain inactive, while for the normal process a temperature of at least +15 degrees Celsius is required.