Beekeepers warning of major crisis

The buzz around bees isn’t just about honey — it’s about your dinner plate. A growing crisis could impact crops, prices and pollination nationwide.

Let's connect the dots.

Beekeepers are warning of a major crisis, and it could hit your grocery bill.

A new report shows U.S. beekeepers lost 62% of their colonies over the past year. That’s far above the usual average and scientists say the cause isn’t fully clear.

Experts blame parasites, disease, poor nutrition and even theft. In California, beehives are being stolen under cover of night and resold for pollination.

Honeybees pollinate about 75% of the world’s food crops. So when bees die, it puts fruits, vegetables and nuts at risk — especially almonds.

Those losses could push food prices higher, since bees support $17 billion in U.S. agriculture each year.

Experts say government help is needed — but everyday people can pitch in too. Planting bee-friendly flowers in your yard or garden can help support pollinators and protect the food supply.

Trey Franklin, a professor at the University of South Carolina and director of the W. G. Belser Arbor wan to educate residents about the importance of protecting pollinators.

"We have a ton, a large number of native bees that need to be able to protect and support, as well," Franklin said. "In fact, in your backyard, in a good, healthy backyard, you'll have 20-30 species at one time."

He said many of these pollinators, the most common being the European honey bee, are crucial for everyday life.

"All of the things that we eat, most of everything, all of the fresh fruit, and much of the vegetables that we eat every day, they require those pollinators to be able to reproduce and for us to eat," he said.

Despite the insect's crucial role in sustaining life, Franklin said many face extinction.

"Loss of habitat is a major threat to pollinators, to birds, to any number of species around," Franklin said.

Still, he said there are ways people can help make a positive impact right in their yard.

"There are native plants that you can plant in your yard that are wonderful sources of food and nectar for many invertebrates: bee balm, coneflower, yarrow," he said. "And you can find those in some local garden stores."

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