Why Are US Honey Bees Dying at Record Rates?

Have you ever stopped to think about what keeps your grocery store shelves stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables? It’s not just farmers or fancy irrigation systems—honey bees play a starring role. These tiny pollinators are the unsung heroes behind a third of our food crops, from juicy watermelons to crunchy almonds. But here’s the kicker: they’re disappearing at a terrifying pace. In the US, beekeepers are reporting losses unlike anything we’ve seen before, and it’s got everyone from scientists to farmers buzzing with concern.

The Alarming Collapse of Bee Colonies

Picture this: a beekeeper in South Texas checks on his hives, expecting to see bustling colonies. Instead, he finds empty combs and lifeless bees. This isn’t a one-off tragedy—it’s happening across the country. Recent surveys show that commercial beekeepers lost a staggering 60 percent of their colonies between summer 2024 and early 2025. That’s not just a bad year; it’s the worst on record since tracking began over a decade ago. The economic toll? A jaw-dropping $600 million in losses, and that’s just the start.

The scale of these losses is unprecedented. Without bees, our food system could face serious disruptions.

– Entomologist researching bee health

So, what’s going on? Why are our bees dropping like flies? The answer isn’t simple, but one tiny villain keeps stealing the spotlight: the Varroa mite. This parasitic pest is wreaking havoc, and it’s not alone in this mess. Let’s dive into the culprits and what they mean for our food supply.

The Varroa Mite: A Tiny Terror

Imagine a parasite the size of a dinner plate clinging to your chest, draining your energy and spreading disease. That’s what the Varroa mite is to a honey bee. These blood-sucking pests latch onto bees, feeding on their body fat and blood while transmitting deadly viruses like the deformed wing virus. First spotted in the US in 1987, these mites have become a beekeeper’s worst nightmare. They’re not just annoying—they’re lethal.

Here’s where it gets worse: the mites have developed resistance to Amitraz, the go-to pesticide beekeepers have relied on for years. Studies from early 2025 found that nearly all Varroa mites in collapsed colonies showed signs of resistance. This means the one tool beekeepers counted on is failing, leaving hives vulnerable. It’s like trying to fight a fire with a broken hose.

• Weakened bees: Mites drain bees’ energy, making them susceptible to disease.
• Virus spread: Varroa mites carry pathogens that can wipe out entire colonies.
• Pesticide failure: Resistance to Amitraz has left beekeepers scrambling for solutions.

I’ve always found it fascinating how something so small can cause such massive chaos. It’s a reminder of how delicate nature’s balance is—one tiny pest can throw an entire ecosystem into disarray.

Beekeepers on the Brink

Beekeepers are feeling the heat, and it’s not just the Texas sun. Commercial operations, which often manage thousands of hives, are getting hit the hardest. Take a beekeeper in South Texas who lost 2,000 out of 3,000 hives in a single year. That’s not just a loss of bees—it’s a loss of livelihood. These bees were supposed to pollinate crops like almonds and watermelons, bringing in significant revenue. Now, many beekeepers are struggling to stay afloat.

In Texas alone, the average colony loss last year was 61 percent, far above the “normal” 25 percent that beekeepers brace for. Some reported losses as high as 80 percent. For context, rebuilding a colony isn’t like restocking a shelf. It takes time, money, and a whole lot of hope. Splitting surviving hives to create new ones is common, but when you’re down to 20 percent of your bees, that’s a tall order.

It’s heartbreaking to see your hives empty. You pour your heart into this, and it’s gone in a season.

– A Texas beekeeper

Commercial beekeepers are especially critical in places like California, where 80 percent of the world’s almonds are grown. Almond orchards need 1.7 million hives for pollination—roughly 80 billion bees. With colony losses this severe, farmers are already feeling the pinch, and consumers might soon see it at the grocery store.

Why Bees Matter to Your Plate

Ever wonder what your diet would look like without bees? Spoiler: it wouldn’t be pretty. About one-third of our food crops rely on bees for pollination. We’re talking apples, blueberries, cucumbers, melons, and, yes, those almonds in your trail mix. Without bees, grocery shelves would look sparse, and prices for these staples would skyrocket.

It’s not just about food scarcity—bee losses could ripple through the economy. Farmers face higher costs to secure pollination services, and those costs get passed on to you. I’ve always thought it’s wild how interconnected our food system is. Lose the bees, and suddenly your morning smoothie is a lot pricier.

Beyond Mites: Other Threats to Bees

While Varroa mites are public enemy number one, they’re not the only threat. Some experts point to pesticides and herbicides as silent killers. These chemicals can weaken bees, making them more vulnerable to mites and viruses. Poor nutrition is another factor—when bees don’t have access to diverse, high-quality forage, their immune systems take a hit. It’s like trying to run a marathon on a diet of junk food.

Then there’s the issue of climate stress. Changing weather patterns can disrupt flowering seasons, leaving bees with less food. In warmer states like Texas, beekeepers face another hurdle: some organic treatments, like formic acid and thymol, can’t be used in high temperatures. That limits options for controlling mites in the South, where summers are brutal.

One beekeeper I heard about in California, who avoids Amitraz and uses organic methods, still lost 50 percent of his hives last year. That’s a wake-up call. Even those doing everything “right” are struggling, which tells me this problem is bigger than any one solution.

Fighting Back: Hope for the Future

So, is there any light at the end of the tunnel? Thankfully, researchers and beekeepers aren’t sitting idle. Scientists are exploring new ways to combat Varroa mites, from breeding mite-resistant bees to developing alternative treatments. In Texas, for example, a new bee breeding center is working on queens that produce bees capable of fighting off mites naturally. It’s a long shot, but it could be a game-changer.

1. Bee breeding programs: Developing colonies that naturally resist mites.
2. New treatments: Exploring organic and synthetic options to replace Amitraz.
3. Better practices: Educating beekeepers on sustainable hive management.

Some beekeepers are also experimenting with organic pesticides like oxalic acid, which can kill mites without harming bees when used correctly. But these solutions aren’t perfect. They require precise timing and conditions, which isn’t always feasible in large-scale operations. Still, the creativity and resilience of beekeepers give me hope.

We’re not giving up. Bees are too important, and we’ll keep fighting to save them.

– A commercial beekeeper

Perhaps the most interesting aspect is how this crisis is sparking collaboration. Universities, government agencies, and beekeepers are teaming up to tackle the problem. For instance, research centers are studying how to improve bee nutrition and reduce pesticide exposure. It’s a reminder that when we work together, we can solve even the toughest challenges.

What Can We Do?

This isn’t just a problem for beekeepers—it’s a problem for all of us. The good news? There are ways we can help. Supporting local beekeepers by buying their honey is a great start. It keeps them in business and ensures bees keep buzzing. Planting pollinator-friendly gardens with diverse flowers can also give bees the nutrition they need.

Advocating for reduced pesticide use in your community is another big step. I’ve found that even small actions, like choosing organic produce, can make a difference over time. It’s about creating a world where bees can thrive, and in turn, our food system stays strong.

The honey bee crisis is a wake-up call. It’s a reminder of how much we rely on these tiny creatures and how fragile our food system is. By understanding the threats they face—Varroa mites, pesticides, and more—we can start to turn the tide. The question is, will we act before it’s too late?

Let’s be honest: the stakes couldn’t be higher. Losing bees means losing more than just honey—it means a hit to our food supply, our economy, and our way of life. But there’s hope in the resilience of beekeepers and the ingenuity of researchers. Maybe, just maybe, we can save our bees and keep our plates full. What do you think—can we rise to the challenge?