Unbeelievable Honeybee Losses

Un-bee-lieveable news is in from American commercial beekeepers. The U.S. Beekeeping Survey shows average recent losses are greater than 50%, and combined financial losses have topped $139M. 

Many beekeepers are buzzing at a loss rate of 70-100% over the past year. The greatest losses were among those managing more than 500 colonies, aka commercial beekeepers.

Staggering stats: With a recorded loss of 55% for the 2023-2024 season on the books, the rate is much higher than the 13-year average annual loss rate of 40%. This is the highest loss rate of managed bee colonies since the 2010-2011 season, according to a survey released on December 5. 

What’s causing such a sting? Several factors have contributed to the decline in bee populations. The parasitic varroa mites, diseases, pesticides, agricultural practices, and a longer honey flow (which delays hive treatments) are all to blame.

The mighty mites: Varroa mites prey on western honeybee and Asian honeybee populations. These pests are external parasites that attach themselves to bee bodies, then reproduce within their colonies. Left untreated, they’ll cause bee colonies to collapse within two or three seasons. 

By the numbers: USDA bee data has been collected since 1986. Honeybee colonies peaked at 3.5M in 1989 and bottomed out at 2.3M in 2008, before rising to 2.5M last year. In the last 25 years, almost 40% of domestic honey production has dried up. Meanwhile, consumption is 550M pounds annually. 

To bee or not to bee? While beekeepers ponder this question, imports make up nearly 80% of U.S. honey consumption. Argentina, Brazil, India, and Vietnam are all major contributors. 

Want to learn more about bees? Check out a new online course from the University of Minnesota. “Healthy Bees” will be released by May 1 and cover beekeeping management techniques to help prevent and minimize disease and mite transmission.