Beekeepers Report U.S. Honey Bee Colonies Suffered Record 56% Losses Between 2024-2025, Raising Alarm

United States – Honey bee colonies experienced their highest loss rate on record last year, with beekeepers reporting a 55.6% decline between April 2024 and April 2025.[1][2] Commercial operations bore the brunt, losing more than 1.6 million colonies from June 2024 to March 2025 alone.[2] These pollinators underpin billions in crop production, raising alarms about food security and agricultural stability.

Winter Losses Shatter Historical Records

Commercial beekeepers confronted shocking devastation in early 2025. Many discovered 60% to 100% colony losses in January as they readied hives for California almond pollination.[3] This marked the largest single-event die-off documented in nearly two decades.

Survey data from the Bee Informed Partnership revealed winter losses from October 2024 to April 2025 reached 40.2%, surpassing the prior record of 37.7% set in 2018-2019.[1] Commercial beekeepers saw 40.7% winter declines, far above their long-term average of 28.2%. Overall annual losses hit 55.6%, with a confidence interval of 47.9% to 61.8%.[1]

Variations Across Operations and States

Losses varied by operation size and location. The table below summarizes annual losses by beekeeper category based on recent surveys.

Operation Type	Annual Loss Rate
Commercial (>500 colonies)	62%
Sideliner (50-500 colonies)	54%
Hobbyist (1-49 colonies)	51%
Backyard	51.4%

[2][1]

State-level figures ranged from 34.3% to 90.5%, with a median of 53%. Multi-state operations reported 57.4% losses, mirroring the previous year.[1] Summer losses, from April to October 2024, stood at 28.3%, slightly below the prior year but above the 14-year average.

Multiple Factors Fuel the Decline

Varroa destructor mites emerged as a primary driver, compounded by high viral loads and emerging resistance to treatments like amitraz.[2][4] USDA research linked early 2025 losses directly to these issues.

• Pesticide residues weakening bee immunity.
• Poor nutrition from limited pollen diversity.
• Pathogens, including new viruses detected in samples.
• Environmental stressors like adverse weather.
• Management challenges, such as queen issues and supplemental feeding.

[2][5]

Experts describe a “perfect storm” of pests, pathogens, pesticides, and poor nutrition – the “4 Ps.”[5] “You won’t find a bee in the landscape that’s just affected by pests, or just affected by poor nutrition. We are tackling it all,” said Priya Basu, assistant professor of pollinator health at Washington State University.

Far-Reaching Impacts on Economy and Food Supply

The losses carried a $600 million toll in honey production, pollination fees, and replacement costs.[2] Honey bees pollinate crops worth $18 billion annually, including almonds, apples, blueberries, and melons.

Farmers face reduced yields and higher prices without sufficient hives. Almond pollination alone demands about 2.6 million colonies each year. “For a lot of these operators, another year of big losses and they’re out of business,” warned Brandon Hopkins, professor of pollinator ecology at Washington State University.[5]

Research Efforts Offer Glimmers of Hope

Organizations mobilized quickly. Project Apis m. surveyed 842 beekeepers managing 72% of U.S. colonies, while USDA-ARS analyzed samples from 114 affected hives for pathogens and residues.[2] Cornell University tested for pesticides in bee products.

Washington State University advances fungal biocontrol for mites, indoor storage techniques, and breeding programs to bolster genetic diversity. Extension services train beekeepers and farmers on best practices. These initiatives aim to stabilize populations amid persistent pressures.

Key Takeaways

• 2025 marked the highest annual loss at 55.6%, driven by record 40.2% winter declines.
• 1.6 million colonies vanished, costing $600 million and risking $18 billion in crops.
• Varroa mites, viruses, and resistance demand urgent, multifaceted solutions.

Honey bees remain indispensable to U.S. agriculture, yet their continued decline signals a critical juncture. Coordinated action from beekeepers, researchers, and policymakers could reverse the trend before pollination demands overwhelm supply. What steps do you believe are most urgent to protect these essential pollinators? Share your thoughts in the comments.