CARAGUM INTERNATIONAL® become the sponsor of “Un toit pour les abeilles”.
The bee population has been decreasing at an alarming rate for several years, with a total disappearance in certain areas.
In France, more than 30% of bee colonies disappear every year.
As a consequence of this “massacre”, in 10 years, 15 000 beekeepers have stopped their activity. That’s why we want to put the spotlight on the salvation of the bees. The beehive of Caragum International® is established in majestuous area of Queyras, in the French Alpes.
The “Colony Collapse Disorder” is a phenomenon that results in a sudden disappearance of bees in the hives, without any trace of dead or living bees nearby.
Pesticides would be the main cause affecting the central nervous system but it is probably a combination of factors (parasites, predators, modification of their habitat and scarcity of resources, climatic disruption…) and cocktails of pesticides.
As the bee plays a key role as a pollinator, this syndrome is very worrying and has serious consequences for our entire eco-system, both on an environmental and economic level.
Its disappearance would be a real catastrophe for nature and human beings. We know that 80% of the crops depend on the action of pollinating insects.
Sponsorship allows us to participate in the protection of bees and the development of colonies. It means supporting local, artisanal and sustainable beekeeping.
The beekeeper : Aude GALMICHE
Aude started beekeeping in 2009, a little by chance, by accompanying a friend in his hives. Since then, she had her first hives, then ten, twenty and 120.
After a few years in the Vaucluse, she bought an isolated farm in the high alps, in the Queyras regional park. Aude started beekeeping in 2009, a little by chance, accompanying a friend in his hives. Since then, she had her first hives, then ten, twenty and 120.
After a few years in the Vaucluse, she bought an isolated farm in the high alps, in the regional park of Queyras, her husband’s department of origin.
This corresponds to her wish to lead her hives in a still preserved environment, close to nature and to the rhythm of the seasons.
In this logic, the majority of the hives are sedentary between 900 and 1200m of altitude.
Aude collects mainly mountain and lavender honeys.
What’s going on in your apiary this month?
In May, the hive is buzzing with activity.
The bees have a wide variety of flowers to forage. They bring back to the hive important quantities of pollen and nectar.
For bee lovers, this time of year is the best time to watch them at work!
The queen lays abundant eggs and the hive population grows rapidly during the month of May.
In a colony, there are 15,000 foragers collecting pollen and nectar!
Within the hive, 30,000 other bees receive this precious harvest and transform it into honey. Quite an organization!
The month of May is also the month with the highest number of swarmings.
Focus on the Asian hornet
In recent years, the Asian hornet is one of the predators that has developed and settled in France.
If it can be dangerous for humans, it is also dangerous for bees.
What are the consequences of the development of the Asian hornet?
If the Asian bees have developed defense mechanisms against this hornet,
this is not the case for our local bees which are completely vulnerable to this new predator.
The Asian hornet feeds mainly on fruits and bees.
It is a real scourge for beekeepers because these insects can decimate an entire colony in a very short time.
If bees are very active, this is also the case for birds, many of which are nesting at this very moment! To help and protect them, here are a few simple gestures:
– Before trimming your hedges, trees and bushes, check that they are not home to nests or birds!
– Don’t throw away your pets’ hair! They can be used by certain species to build their nests.
