Manche: why 2021 is a very bad year for honey harvests

« Les apiculteurs ont récolté 25 à 30 % de ce qu’ils produisent d’habitude.»» Alain Lesclavec, de la Manche Apicole, syndicat d’apiculteur, est catégorique, 2021 s’est montrée très peu clémente avec les abeilles. Ajoutés aux frelons asiatiques, les productrices du liquide jaune ont été confrontées à de nombreux obstacles.

Weather

Atmospheric conditions were very bad this year.The third rainy summer since 1961 in Cotentin, according to Météo-France Cherbourg.It doesn't forgive.

"Humidity brings diseases", deplores Paul Sarge, of the Abeille Noire de la Manche association.

"Some are hungry," adds Yann Lepetit, amateur beekeeper.Because of the terror caused by Asian hornets, but also the weather.

He was forced to feed them with their own honey, but could not prevent the disappearance of one of its colonies."On Monday it was fine, and four days later I had 10,000 dead bees.»»

Varroa

Since the 1980s, bees have faced a small mitery named Varroa."This is one of the biggest dangers," says Paul Sarge. Il y en a partout»».

The parasite infiltrates the hive and in the cells where the eggs are deposited.He returns at that time, when the bee enters its various stages of development.

"He sucks the blood of the bees. Ce n’est pas ça qui les tue mais après c’est la porte ouverte à des maladies»», remarque Alain Lesclavec.

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