Honey bee health concerns on the rise as beekeepers report 1.1 million colonies lost

Honey bee health concerns on the rise as beekeepers report 1.1 million colonies lost

What’s the buzz about honeybee health? Experts are reporting that the bee industry is fragile after commercial beekeepers started reporting a startling statistic.

“Reports started coming in that there was an alarming amount of honeybee colony losses,” said Matthew Mulica with the Honey Bee Health Coalition.

A nationwide survey from June 2024 to February 2025 revealed that over 1.1 million honeybee colonies were lost. Commercial operations report a 62% colony loss.

Why?

“We don’t know,” Mulica said.

While the colony loss right now is a mystery, the USDA is investigating why this is happening.

Until they find a solution, concerns continue to rise for pollination and agriculture.

“If there aren’t enough bees to pollinate the fruits and vegetables, then the cost of the pollination services will go up, and that’s going to be a cost that will be passed on to the farmer and ultimately could be passed on to the consumer,” Mulica said.

The new report has several beekeepers on high alert. But how do you keep a hive safe from the unknown?

“Keeping your bees alive any way you can, feeding them and medicating them is very important,” said Madison County hobbyist beekeeper Keith Fletcher.

Fletcher has been keeping bees since 2007 and currently has around 10 colonies.

Why does he do it?

“It’s a fun hobby,” Fletcher said.

But not an easy one. Fletcher said, just like those commercial beekeepers, he’s no stranger to colony loss.

“My losses will range anywhere from 20 percent a year to as much as 70 percent of my colonies,” Fletcher said.

He added that loss is just a part of beekeeping. You have to keep an eye on nutrition, treatment and pesticides.

As for what the public can do to help during this uncertain time.

“The biggest thing we can do now while we are waiting on these answers is to buy local honey,” Mulica added.

This can help sustain the beekeeping industry during uncertain times.

As for when we can expect some answers about what’s causing colony loss across the country, USDA investigations are currently underway and the results will be released to the public as soon as possible.

Experts say bee health usually declines due to a bee’s access to a nutritious diet, a mite or pesticides.

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