60 percent decline in honeybees sparks worry

Hundreds of millions of honey bees across the U.S. are dying off.

This is causing concern for pollination and agriculture across the country, including beekeepers here in Massachusetts. Commercial beekeepers are reporting a staggering 60% decrease in their honeybee populations in the past year, from June to February.

Bees produce $17 billion in agricultural products every year in the US. But experts say these alarming losses, which surpass historical trends, could significantly impact US agriculture. They say we could see a decrease in foods that rely on pollination, like almonds, watermelon, and berries. It’s still unclear what’s causing the heavier bee losses.

Bill Frazer, Board Director for the Hampden County Beekeepers and a local beekeeper for 14 years in Southwick, says honeybee colonies can collapse due to parasites if not treated appropriately, but he claims this is something much bigger.

“Out of 25 or 26 colonies, I only lost eight, which is on a grand scale,” Frazer says. “Things are nothing in percentage-wise, but for me it’s larger because it’s a little tiny bit concerning for me because five of them are unexplained. So I don’t know why, and neither do other beekeepers when they have the same situation.”

Frazer says he’s seen other beekeepers in Massachusetts lose all their honeybees and are starting all over again. He hopes whatever is causing this doesn’t extend throughout the year or next winter again. Adding a supplier from Georgia is helping him and other beekeepers rebuild and sustain honey bees for the future, until the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources detects what is causing these losses.

Frazer also encourages other beekeepers to share their data on honey bee colony survival and losses through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Bees Survey.

And if you would like to donate towards the education of being a beekeeper and beekeeping click here.

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