Honeybee colonies decline in East Tennessee as officials research causes

U.S. Department of Agriculture is currently working with multiple colleges and nonprofits to identify the potential causes of a steep decline in honey colonies.

According to a recent study, over 60% of commercial colonies, and over 50% of hobbyist colonies have declined this year. Michael Keaton of Dandridge said he has never seen bee colonies dwindle so fast in his five years of beekeeping

“It is sad if you care about anything and care about life on earth when a colony dies,” said Keaton.

According to the USDA, about 35% of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators to reproduce. Keaton said cutting off bee’s food supply by mowing, chopping down trees, or the use of pesticides could be contributing to the decline.

“I only lost two hives, I lost like 2% of mine, and a lot of people across the U.S. have lost up to 60%.” he said.

While many beekeepers in the community have lost most or half of their colonies, Keaton said he’s one of the lucky ones. He has only lost two this year, which is why he’s hoping to help them bring their colonies back.

“I’ve seen a lot of people that have lost some of them, as much as almost 100% of their hives,” he said. “I know a lady that had 39 hives, she has lost 38 of them. So a day in the life of beekeeper for me is to try to help people like that.”

Splitting hives and selling them is one way he hopes to help. But he said other factors, like the Varroa mite, are playing a role in the honeybee’s decline.

“Little ticks we get on us. Varroa mites are like a little tick,” Keaton explained. “It gets on them and they suck their blood, they overwinter, they got a nice big massive colony, but bees keep dying off due to the Varroa mites.”

As researchers continue to investigate if they are the culprit, Keaton stresses the importance bees have on our lives and produce production, and he urges people in the community to support local beekeepers.

“I call them my girls. That’s the girls, because most of the hive is girls,” he said. “And you know what they do for America and what they do for the world pollinating and helping feed us, how many people can survive in the world without honeybees?”

According to the USDA Agricultural Research Service, beekeepers have identified Varroa mites as their most serious problem causing colony losses today. Factors in their environment or exposure to chemicals are also being explored.

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