Bee population decrease due to drought threatens pollination efforts.

The ongoing drought is affecting farmers nationwide, but beekeepers warn of a more lasting impact on their colonies due to the extreme heat. James Hamill, a third-generation beekeeper from Surrey and founder of The Hive Honey Company, manages around 70 hives at his Bee Heaven Farm in Lower Kingswood, along with hives in London and other rural areas. He operates a mobile beehive trailer as well. “This summer’s drought has severely stressed our bee colonies, which are already facing threats from invasive species and diseases,” he states. “Each hive requires at least a litre of water daily to keep the queen and larvae hydrated, but as bees travel farther to find it, they expend more energy and experience higher mortality rates.”