US beekeepers lost an estimated 48.2% of managed colonies in the 2022-2023 Bee Informed Partnership national survey, the most recent full-year loss report published as of early 2026. Federal data counted 2.51 million colonies on January 1, 2024, down 6% from the prior year. These losses are not one disease. They reflect varroa mites, viruses, queen failures, and pesticide stress. Use the varroa mite treatment guide for the top documented driver of colony decline.
The 48.2% national annual loss for 2022-2023 matters because it shows colony loss is not a winter-only problem. Summer losses of 25.1% mean colonies fail during the active season, when forage and queen rearing should support growth. This shifts management priorities toward regular hive inspections and integrated pest control. Beekeepers who treat varroa mites on a schedule see different outcomes than those who wait for visible damage.
The federal count of 2.51 million colonies in January 2024 does not mean the US lost all of those bees. Beekeepers replace losses by splitting colonies and buying packages. The high replacement rate masks the economic strain on operations. New beekeepers should plan for varroa and wintering costs before buying bees. See how much does beekeeping cost and how to winterize beehives for budget and survival planning. The USDA Agricultural Research Service and the Honey Bee Health Coalition publish varroa thresholds and treatment resources.
National colony loss estimates
| Stat | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 48.2% | Total annual colony loss reported for April 2022 to April 2023, the most recent full-year Bee Informed Partnership national survey before 2026 | Bee Informed Partnership, 2023 |
| 37.4% | Winter colony loss reported for October 2022 to April 2023 | Bee Informed Partnership, 2023 |
| 25.1% | Summer colony loss reported for April 2022 to October 2022 | Bee Informed Partnership, 2023 |
| 2.51 million | US honey bee colonies at operations with five or more colonies on January 1, 2024 | USDA NASS, 2024 |
| -6% | Year-over-year decline in total US colonies from January 1, 2023 to January 1, 2024 | USDA NASS, 2024 |
Varroa and pest pressure
| Stat | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Varroa destructor | Top reported cause of colony loss by surveyed beekeepers in annual loss surveys | Bee Informed Partnership, 2023 |
| 2-3 mites per 100 bees | Recommended varroa treatment threshold in most seasons to reduce virus transmission | Honey Bee Health Coalition, 2023 |
| Deformed wing virus | Viral disease frequently associated with varroa mite feeding and colony decline | USDA ARS, 2023 |
USDA colony inventory and honey production
| Stat | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2.51 million | US honey bee colonies on January 1, 2024, for operations with five or more colonies | USDA NASS, 2024 |
| 2.68 million | US honey bee colonies on January 1, 2023, for operations with five or more colonies | USDA NASS, 2023 |
| 126 million pounds | US honey production in 2023, down 4% from 2022 | USDA NASS, 2024 |
Research and management response
| Stat | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Voluntary annual survey | Bee Informed Partnership collects self-reported losses from commercial and backyard beekeepers | Bee Informed Partnership, 2023 |
| USDA bee labs | Agricultural Research Service bee labs study varroa, nutrition, genetics, and colony health | USDA ARS, 2024 |
| Treatment guidance | Honey Bee Health Coalition provides varroa management tools and decision thresholds | Honey Bee Health Coalition, 2023 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is colony collapse disorder?
Colony collapse disorder is a condition where worker bees abruptly disappear from a colony, leaving the queen, brood, and food stores behind. It was first widely reported in 2006. Modern loss surveys now track a broader set of causes of colony mortality, not just CCD.
Why do 2026 reports still use 2022-2023 loss data?
Annual colony loss surveys are published after the beekeeping year ends and data are cleaned. The 2022-2023 Bee Informed Partnership report is the latest full-year national estimate available as of early 2026. USDA NASS colony counts for January 1, 2024 are the most recent federal inventory.
What is the single biggest cause of colony loss?
Beekeepers consistently rank varroa mites as the top cause of colony loss. Varroa feeding spreads viruses such as deformed wing virus. Treating mites at the recommended threshold reduces annual colony loss.
How many honey bee colonies are in the US?
The latest federal count recorded 2.51 million colonies in operations with five or more colonies on January 1, 2024. That total does not count smaller hobby operations. The number changes seasonally because beekeepers split and replace losses.
Is CCD still the main problem for beekeepers?
CCD as a distinct mystery disorder is reported far less than in 2006-2010. The data now show a combination of varroa mites, viruses, queen issues, nutrition, and pesticide exposure. Researchers and beekeepers use colony loss rates rather than CCD as the headline metric.
What should beekeepers do with these numbers?
Beekeepers should treat varroa on a calendar and mite count schedule, monitor queen health, and prepare hives for winter. The varroa mite treatment guide and common bee diseases and pests guide provide next steps. Winter losses often reflect problems that started in late summer.
