Bee Colony Losses Improving, But Still Not Sustainable

An annual survey of U.S. beekeepers indicated fewer colony losses last winter of than in recent years, but the loss level still was higher than is sustainable, the USDA reported earlier this month.

According the results of the survey conducted by the USDA and the University of Maryland Bee Informed Partnership, total losses of managed honey bee colonies from all causes were 23.2% nationwide. That number exceeds the 18.9% level of loss that beekeepers say is acceptable for their economic sustainability, but is a marked improvement over the 30.5% loss reported for the winter of 2012-2013, and over the eight-year average loss of 29.6%.

Although the survey shows improvement, the results concern beekeepers. Almost two-thirds of those who responded reported losses greater than the threshold they consider economically sustainable.