70,000 bees dead! Beekeeper finds comfort in little helpers

70,000 bees dead! Beekeeper finds comfort in little helpers

In April, Maike Lenz, a beekeeper from Gettorf, made a shocking discovery: 70,000 dead bees were lying on private property, depopulating 15 of 20 beehives. Laboratory analyzes revealed the insecticides phenothrin and tetramethrin, which are not permitted as active ingredients in plant protection products in Germany and the EU. Lenz suspects that someone intentionally sprayed insect spray into the hives, which led to the destruction of their colonies. In order to find the perpetrators, she filed a police report and offered a reward of 500 euros, which was later increased to 1,000 euros by a restaurateur from Eckernförde. A fellow beekeeper contributed an additional 200 euros, so that a total of 1,200 euros is available for information about the perpetrators.

Wow, what a disgrace for the local beekeeping scene! After the report, Lenz received around 180 messages full of comfort and courage. Particularly touching was a personal gift from a little boy who gave her a “Maya the Bee” quartet to cheer her up. Despite the terrible circumstances, Lenz remains optimistic. Twelve people took on bee sponsorships for 120 euros each to support them in rebuilding their bee colonies. Lenz plans to take cuttings from a fellow beekeeper and build new colonies with the goal of harvesting honey again next year, even if it might be less than usual.

The health risks of insecticides

When discussing insect deaths and their causes, the effects of insecticides on the environment and health should not be neglected. In particular, the insecticide d-phenothrin, which was detected in this case, has low toxicity when ingested, inhaled or in contact with the skin. According to information from Oregon State University, d-phenothrin can cause skin sensations such as tingling or itching, and it is described as a mild irritant if it comes into contact with the eyes. But it's not just people who are affected - pets, especially cats, can also have severe reactions when they come into contact with d-phenothrin.

Protection from insects is urgently needed

Amid these frightening incidents, a major system change in agriculture is needed to protect insect populations. The German Association for the Environment and Nature Conservation is calling for a drastic reduction in the amount of pesticides and a ban on particularly dangerous substances such as glyphosate and neonicotinoids. Concrete, measurable goals and extensive financial measures are necessary to stop this threatening trend. A restructuring of agricultural policy at European level is also essential to give pollinators a real chance.

The police are investigating property damage and a possible violation of the Federal Nature Conservation Act, which can be punished with a fine of up to 50,000 euros. Meanwhile, health and environmental protection remain in focus, as does the preservation of the valuable insects that are essential for our ecosystems. It remains to be hoped that the perpetrators will be found quickly and such heinous acts can be prevented in the future.

You can find out more about this incident and the health risks of pesticides in the reports from kn online, Oregon State University and CONVENTION.