The most recent full-year survey from the Bee Informed Partnership shows US beekeepers lost 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies between April 2023 and April 2024. That is the highest annual loss rate since the survey began. Winter loss was 23.7%, while summer loss reached 31.4%. New beekeepers should review the common bee diseases and pests guide before adding colonies.
The 55.1% annual figure does not mean 55.1% of all individual bees died on a single day. It means beekeepers had to replace more than half of their hives over a 12-month period. That replacement burden raises costs quickly. Monthly hive inspections help catch mite and queen problems before losses spread across an apiary.
The long-term trend looks different for managed honey bees versus wild pollinators. Managed US colony numbers fell from roughly 5.9 million in 1947 to about 2.7 million in recent USDA surveys, but the amount of crops needing pollination has increased. Research from USDA Agricultural Research Service continues to track colony stressors. The Honey Bee Health Coalition provides free varroa management tools.
Managed Honey Bee Loss Rates in the United States
| Stat | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 55.1% | Total annual managed honey bee colony loss reported from April 2023 to April 2024, the highest annual rate in the survey history. | Bee Informed Partnership, 2024 |
| 23.7% | Winter colony loss reported from October 2023 to April 2024. | Bee Informed Partnership, 2024 |
| 31.4% | Summer colony loss reported from April 2023 to October 2023. | Bee Informed Partnership, 2024 |
| 48.2% | Total annual loss reported for the prior 2022 to 2023 survey period. | Bee Informed Partnership, 2023 |
Long-Term US Managed Honey Bee Colony Trends
| Stat | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ~60% decline | US managed honey bee colony numbers have fallen roughly 60% from their 1947 peak, according to USDA historical data. | USDA NASS |
| 5.9M to 2.7M | Managed honey bee colonies in the US dropped from roughly 5.9 million in 1947 to about 2.7 million in recent surveys. | USDA NASS, 2023 |
| 2.71M | US honey bee colonies for operations with five or more colonies on January 1, 2023. | USDA NASS, 2023 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many honey bees are being lost each year in the US?
The Bee Informed Partnership tracks colonies, not individual bees. In the latest full-year survey, beekeepers lost 55.1% of managed colonies between April 2023 and April 2024. That does not mean 55.1% of every bee died. It means beekeepers had to replace more than half of their hives over 12 months.
Is the 2024 loss rate the worst on record?
Yes, the 55.1% annual loss in 2023-2024 was the highest since the Bee Informed Partnership began national surveys in 2010-2011. The prior survey year, 2022-2023, had a total annual loss of 48.2%.
What is driving honey bee losses in 2024 and 2025?
Varroa mites remain the leading managed colony stressor in USDA and Bee Informed Partnership surveys. Queen failure, pesticide exposure, and weather stress also contribute. Summer losses have risen, so in-season monitoring is now as critical as winter preparation. The varroa mite treatment guide covers monitoring and treatment thresholds.
Are wild bees declining too?
Honey bee loss data do not measure native bee declines. Native bee species are harder to survey, but habitat loss and pesticide exposure remain known pressures. Planting diverse pollinator species can support native bees alongside managed hives. See the pollinator garden for bees guide.
What can small-scale beekeepers do to reduce losses?
Track varroa levels, treat on schedule, replace failing queens, and make sure hives have enough stores going into winter. Regular inspections also help catch problems early. The how to winterize beehives guide gives step-by-step methods for cold-season preparations.
