ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Hundreds of bees have died from extreme heat this year in Erbil province, local beekeepers say, describing a loss unlike anything they have seen before.
“I have been a beekeeper for 25 years. I have never seen this type of catastrophe befall the bees,” said Hussein Abdullah. “Out of 110 bees, 100 have died with only 10 remaining. All of them are here, and I bring them to this place every year. I did the same thing with them as every year, but due to the heat a harsh catastrophe has befallen us.”
In the villages of Gundki and Khardase, west of the town Akre, nearly 700 bees have died. Aqib Ismail, a young beekeeper, said most of his bees were lost and the rest are still at risk.
“Around 150 of my bees were here. I came and saw that around 100 of my bees, even more, have died. The remaining ones are also in danger right now, all of it because of the heat. I have not seen this type of heat any year,” he said. “We have kept our bees here every year and have never seen this type of loss hit us. It was something natural and unexpected. We hope the authorities help us.”
The hottest summer temperatures in Akre typically range from 40 to 47 degrees Celsius, with spikes during severe heat waves. The area’s elevation tends to somewhat moderate extremes.
Honey bees maintain the temperature in their hives between 32 and 36 degrees Celsius. If hive temperatures stay above this optimal range for several hours, developing larvae can die. Exposure to high temperatures can also quickly become fatal for adult bees.
Bees cool their hives by fanning their wings and bringing in water to evaporate, but during long heat waves these efforts can be overwhelmed, leading to brood loss and weakened colonies.
In very hot regions, beekeepers protect bees by placing hives in shade, providing shallow water sources, improving ventilation with screened bottoms or added vents, and splitting large colonies into smaller ones to reduce heat buildup.
The Kurdistan Region produces award-winning honey.
Scorching summer temperatures are not new in Iraq, especially in the south where highs regularly top 50 degrees Celsius. With climate change, it is becoming increasingly hotter. A lack of basic services, such as water and electricity, makes it harder for people to cope with the heat.
Iraq is also facing a severe water shortage driven by reduced precipitation, rising temperatures, and mismanagement.
