In January 2025, commercial beekeepers discovered sudden mass honey bee colony losses (60-100%). In response, through collaborative efforts from Project Apis m., American Beekeeping Federation, American Honey Producers Association, apiculture extension programs and beekeepers all over the country, surveys were disseminated and samples from surviving colonies and from remnants of dead colonies were rapidly collected. Collected samples are being comprehensively analyzed at the Bee Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS Beltsville, MD for pathogens, parasites, and pesticide residues. In addition, laboratories in Tucson AZ, Baton Rouge LA, Davis CA, Stoneville MS, and Logan UT are analyzing field data, weather patterns, and chemical risks as other factors. “The cause has not yet been identified, however the usual causes of loss, including winter management and high levels of parasitic mites, are not currently indicated causes of these losses” (Source: Urgent: Widespread Colony Losses Reported, Project Apis m, February 2025).
Submit your own apiary information about losses
US Beekeeping Survey: Colony Loss and Management
Take the 2025 Survey Here (Opens April 1, 2025)
Auburn University and Apiary Inspectors of America have created a survey that continues long-term monitoring of key aspects of the US beekeeping industry by complementing BIP’s efforts over the past 15+ years since the Bee Informed Partnership (BIP) is no longer administering this survey. All US beekeepers age 18 and over – from hobbyists to those running multi-state commercial operations – are invited to participate. The survey will take 15-30 minutes to complete.
Pacific Northwest Honey Bee Survey
Take the 2025 Survey Here (Opens March 16, 2025)
Since 2013, the PNW Honey Bee Survey has covered “wintering loss numbers, origination of their bees, hive type, mite monitoring practices, the keepers years of experience, survival strategies, and opinions on colony death over last winter […] With this ever growing citizen science data pool we hope to obtain a better understanding of the differences between national, regional, and local winter loss numbers of the western honey bee (Apis mellifera)” (Source: PNW Honey Bee Survey).
WSU Bee Researchers Comment on 2025 Colony Losses:
- Honey bee colony declines grow as WSU researchers work to fight losses, written by Scott Weybright, CAHNRS News, published March 20, 2025.
- Scientists warn of severe honeybee losses in 2025 written by By Matt Lavietes, NBC News, published March 26, 2025.
- Honey bee colonies could face 70% losses in 2025, impacting agriculture, written by Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, published March 26, 2025.
- Honey bee population decline impacts summer food supply [Video], by Mary Sherden on KXLY Channel 4 News in Spokane, March 27, 2025.
Author: Bri Price, WSU Extension Coordinator