Floating Hives Protect Bees from Flooding

A brother and sister have successfully enabled their bees to survive recent flooding by constructing a floating pontoon system for their hives. Luigi and Cherie Capozzoli, who reside in Ilchester, Somerset, experienced the loss of nearly all of their ten hives during flash floods that occurred late last year. This significant loss prompted the siblings to develop a floating platform for their subsequent hives, a measure that successfully protected the bees during Storm Bert and Darragh. Mr. Capozzoli stated: “I can say, hand on heart, that they’re going to have a fighting chance this winter. So we’re really pleased.” Ms. Capozzoli explained that the intensity of the 2023 floods, which “came through with such ferocity,” made it clear that action was necessary. “We’ve never seen it like that before,” she added. The construction of these rafts, a process that spanned almost a year, involves wooden pallets with four barrels securely wired beneath each unit. These structures are designed to rise with incoming water, while scaffolding poles anchor them to prevent displacement downstream. The brother and sister, who have engaged in beekeeping for three years, reported that they are responsible for safeguarding approximately 30,000 to 40,000 bees. Their bee population was re-established following last year’s flood by successfully hatching queen cells from the sole surviving hive into an additional six hives. Mr. Capozzoli described witnessing their pontoon system in operation during the recent storms as “incredibly emotional.” “Seeing them floating was incredible – a real achievement,” he remarked. He further commented: “There’s obviously a change in the climate.” He added, “The bees are in decline and we try and help them the best we can, hence why we came up with this device to give them a fighting chance – and it’s worked.”