Oristanese, the alarm of two beekeepers: "Climate change and too many pesticides, bees at risk"

It is an increasingly growing problem, which adds up to another much more serious one, that of the intensive use of pesticides , a point of no return for beekeepers. Climate change becomes a reality over the years and bees, sentinels of the health of ecosystems, are also affected. The Oristano was not spared: «Last year the excessive heat withered flowers and plants, the torrential rains of last spring destroyed the clover crops. This year the clover production has decreased by 30%», reports Paolo Serra , a beekeeper from Terralba who boasts important awards with his 400 beehives and who works in various areas of Sardinia. Even for him, the weather is now an unknown factor: "In the 15 days of flowering we have to cross our fingers, so that the weather is kind to the beekeepers", comments Serra.

Another loss is added, that of the plant of sulla , present in Marmilla: «Last year in April there were about 40 degrees. The sulla was burned by the heat , the flowers had no nectar», recalls Serra. A shortage that has been contained with the abundance of another spontaneous plant present in the Terralbese area, the asphodel: «Last year it yielded the most, but this spring not even a gram of honey was produced because the of course, the plant did not vegetate», explains Alberto Scarabelli, award-winning beekeeper from Marrubiu.

The torrid springs are therefore more frightening than the sultry summers : despite the almost 45 degrees in the Terralbese area, the intense heat has benefited the beekeepers, busy with the collection of eucalyptus honey: «From the end of June to the end of July the flowering takes place, I produce an average of 20 kilos per hive a year», says Scarabelli, who has a total of 200 hives. Good news also on the bee front, as the beekeeper from Marrubi says: «They managed to regulate the temperature of the hives. Some honey was lost because the bees instead of collecting nectar collected water to cool the hive». «There weren't major damages like in Southern Sardinia. The wax of some chassis has melted, but there are only a few numbers», adds Serra.

According to beekeepers, the main enemy of bees is not bad weather. «Climate change has undoubtedly influenced the decrease in the production of wildflower honey, on the strawberry tree of last year but the factor that affects the most are pesticides: 80% of bee deaths depend on poisons», comments Paolo Serra . «The situation has worsened since the diffusion of neonicotinoids, about 15 years ago – recalls Scarabelli – the bees lose their bearings and are unable to return to the hive. In recent years, production has gone from 100 kilos per hive to a minimum of 10 kilos».