Record 2024–2025 honeybee colony losses reported across United States, over 60% lost in Texas
Beekeepers across the United States reported record managed honeybee colony losses between April 2024 and April 2025, with over 60% of hives lost in Texas, according to preliminary survey results and beekeeper accounts. Nationwide, an estimated 55.6% of colonies died—marking the highest loss rate since official monitoring began in 2010.
Image credit: Dmitry Grigoriev
Beekeepers in Texas and across the United States reported unprecedented losses of managed honeybee colonies during the 2024–2025 season, with more than 60% of colonies in Texas lost between April 2024 and April 2025, according to Texas A&M AgriLife and national survey data.
Nationwide, the annual loss rate reached 55.6%, the highest recorded since formal tracking began in 2010. Preliminary data comes from a joint survey by the Apiary Inspectors of America, Auburn University, and other collaborators.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Texas A&M AgriLife researchers attributed the majority of colony deaths to Varroa destructor mites. These parasitic mites have developed resistance to conventional acaricides, making management increasingly difficult. Once established in a hive, varroa mites spread viruses that weaken immune systems and lead to colony collapse.
“They are an effective vector for viruses that cannot be treated,” said Garett Slater of Texas A&M AgriLife.
Commercial apiaries reported rapid declines. Daniel Lennon of Honey Badger Trading Co. lost 24 hives in just 10 days, underscoring the severity of the crisis. Similar reports have been documented across multiple states.
In addition to parasites, multiple stressors are affecting colonies. These include pesticide exposure, climate stress, habitat loss, and monocropping, which together weaken bee immunity and reduce forage availability.
Nationally, over 1.6 million colonies were lost between June 2024 and March 2025, resulting in an estimated USD 600 million in economic damage from reduced honey production and pollination income.
Agricultural industries dependent on pollination are experiencing cascading effects. California’s almond sector, which requires more than 2 million hives each spring, reported shortages of up to 500 000 colonies in early 2025. This disruption cost growers an estimated USD 428 million due to unfulfilled pollination contracts and reduced yields.
To counter losses, researchers and beekeepers are working on breeding honeybees with greater mite resistance, improving hive management practices, and urging reductions in pesticide use. Planting pollinator-friendly habitats is also promoted as a strategy to increase forage and resilience.
The scale of losses reported in 2024–2025 surpasses the long-term annual average of 40–50% colony decline, raising concerns about long-term sustainability of managed pollination systems in the U.S.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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