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Bees

Now is the moment to trap Asian hornets in France

The invasive insects start to make their first hives in spring

Meet the beekeeping couple with 450 hives in their corner of France

How they turned their honey hobby into a full-time profession and have not looked back

Research and ruches: Paris librarian bringing bees to University

To work with bees, people have to learn to be calm, to work in a group, to notice the mood of the beehive, to think of how their actions affect others, to remain flexible, and to work with people from other disciplines

practical

France beekeeping: are there rules for installing a hive in my garden?

The regulations include making an annual declaration to the Agriculture Ministry

Normandy black bee gets protected species status and queen bee project

The programme aims to boost numbers of the native bee - local breeds of pig, donkey and goose have also been put on protected list

Help bees - grow their favourite colour flowers in your French garden

Bees are vital for crop pollination and the ecosystem and yes they do have a favourite colour

Why are bees dying in winter? French beekeeper survey may help

We look at how beekeepers are joining forces to save colonies and why the bee is an important symbol in France

‘Our hives protect bees’: alternative way of beekeeping made in France

Creators say that their specially designed hives lead to stronger colonies

French beekeepers experiment with indoor hives in bid to save bees

Bee colonies are heavily impacted by parasites and are struggling to survive warmer winters. A retired scientist and former professional beekeeper is trying keeping them inside

‘Sex traps’ can control Asian hornets, new French-Chinese study shows

The pheromone-laced traps can successfully capture males and reduce the number of future hornet queens. The hornets are a significant threat to bees and biodiversity

Are there official checks and standards for beehives?

MY NEIGHBOUR has installed about 100 beehives in his garden in what look like old wooden packing cases, about 100m from my house. The noise is scary and I am worried about danger to members of my household if the bees swarm. Do the authorities check or regulate beekeepers and is there any way to check on whether my neighbour has met the necessary standards? M.S.

Nests of new bee-eating oriental hornets found in Marseille destroyed

The species, known to be highly dangerous to bees, had been found for the first time near the city earlier this year

Researchers use GPS trackers to stop new hornet spreading in Marseille

The oriental hornet is different from the Asian hornet and can be identified from red colouring with yellow markings on the front of its face and the third and fourth abdomen sections

Bee-eating oriental hornet discovered in Marseille, a first in France

The insect is highly invasive and known to be a ‘formidable predator’ of bees

France’s beekeepers’ fears for 2021 honey harvest after record 2020

Cold, wet and windy spring has kept bees from foraging, prompting fears of a disastrous 2021 harvest

French beet growers fight for neonicotinoid exemption

Farmers deliver plans to protect pollinators in bid to get MPs to approve amendment to bee-killing insecticide ban

Nature in France: what are those shiny blue bumble bees?

Have you spotted a huge blue bee buzzing around your garden? We explain what they are what they do.

French honey production 'exceptional' in 2020 so far

An “exceptional” amount of honey has been produced in France so far this year, due to the unusually warm weather and coronavirus confinement.

French bees and honey production damaged by heatwave

Thousands of bees and beehives suffered due to the unprecedented heatwave conditions in the south of France this summer, beekeepers have reported.

Pesticide-free city ready for important honey harvest

Avignon ready for first harvest of honey from hives on top of World Heritage Site the Palais des Papes

French mayor hits back at ‘bee pollen’ complaints

A French mayor is the latest to become exasperated over complaints by new residents to the countryside, after receiving reports of “too much bee pollen”.

French town's glyphosate ban for farmers 'illegal'

But mayor insists she will not withdraw local decree outlawing use of controversial herbicide

Walkers attacked by bees in southern France

Normally peaceful insects 'had probably been disturbed and irritated' by keeper, expert believes

Notre-Dame fire: Bees on roof survived, beekeeper says

The 200,000 bees that live in the hives on the roof of Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris appear to have survived the fire disaster that led to the collapse of much of the roof and spire, it has emerged.

Beehives to boost lemon production

Beehives have been set up in town gardens in Menton on the Côte d’Azur to help ensure production of citron de Menton.

Bees gave teacher idea for hive of connected activity

CONNECtivity is a big buzzword in business - and now it is bees that are benefiting.

Beekeeper’s trap blocks only hornet queens

A Breton beekeeper is preparing for Europe-wide sales of his innovative trap for Asian hornets after he won France’s most prestigious inventor’s prize.

Glysophate in honey under investigation

The Lyon public prosecutor has opened a preliminary investigation into ‘administering harmful substances’ after traces of the herbicide glyphosate were found in batches of honey.

French beekeepers get €3m boost but industry critical

The French beekeeping industry is to receive a three-million-euro boost from the government, the Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed, although a beekeeper union has said this does not go far enough.

MPs ignore Macron pledge on glyphosate

French MPs have voted against calls for a law to ban glyphosate weedkiller despite President Macron’s pledge last November to ban its use in France within three years.

French beekeepers fighting killer Asian hornet

Fight continues

Beekeepers in France deal with return of Asian hornets

Old-style traps are not recommended and beekeepers have created new ones that are very effective... but so are hens

Apiarists need to make a beeline for the mairie

Move slowly to.... the good life

Start-up rents pollination bees to boost fruit farms

A Nouvelle-Aquitaine start-up is renting super-productive pollination bees to agricultural fruit farmers to boost their returns and help address the “disappearing bee” crisis.

Warning as Asian hornets emerge early

Beekeepers in southwest say they have trapped high numbers of queens already - and warn that the aggressive insects could be a menace this summer

Bee fears prompt temporary pesticide ban

Court suspends use of two new pesticides pending further tests

French beekeepers condemn new “bee killing” pesticide

French beekeepers have denounced a new neonicotinoid pesticide, which has been authorised for use despite plans to ban most other types of the “bee killing” chemicals.

“Catastrophic” year for French honey, say beekeepers

This year has been condemned as “catastrophic” for French honey, with pesticide use, lack of biodiversity, and climate conditions named as the main culprits.

Beehive air helps asthma

A beekeeper says asthmatics can find almost instant relief in Lot-et-Garonne if they sniff the air of his beehives.

Shotgun blasts can end hornet menace

This month is when Asian hornets do the most damage by killing bees to feed young larvae and one beekeeper, who lost 30 of his 100 hives last year, is pioneering non-chemical alternatives to destroy nests.

Swarm of bees kill amateur beekeeper

Rare fatal incident as 58-year-old killed as he tried to dislodge swarm under roof of nearby house