Vt. beekeepers grapple with population decline

Vt. beekeepers grapple with population decline

Honeybees are in a sticky situation nationwide, including in our region. On average, 40 to 50 percent of U.S. honeybee colonies die annually. This year, industry experts estimate a historic jump to 60 to 70 percent or higher.

Each spring, beekeeper Charles Mraz wakes up his hives at Champlain Valley Apiaries. This year, fewer bees emerged.

“Ideally, this bee yard would have about 40 colonies in it,” Mraz said. He’s used to losing some, but this season’s estimated 65 percent die-off is a heartbreaking record. “I have to admit it, I’ve been down on my knees in bee yards before. We love our bees. We do everything, every day, for them to survive.”

The University of Vermont’s Vermont Bee Lab says it’s hearing similar. “We’ve had some beekeepers reporting losses around that national figure, around 60%, which is pretty devastating for these businesses in the farming community,” said UVM’s Samantha Alger.

Brooke Decker at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture says it’s a mixed bag. “People are surprised when they have a good overwintering rate, so they’re excited to call me and talk about it. And then when there are higher losses and an operation, it’s very devastating. It’s hard,” Decker said.

Researchers aren’t sure what’s caused the national death toll. In Vermont, the ‘why’ for a potential statewide rise depends on who you ask. Decker plans to double down on varroa mite mitigation to take one potential risk off the table. Mraz believes it’s due to pesticide exposure and says solutions need to come soon for his 100-year-old business. “We want to continue this. I want our family to be in this business for another hundred here in Vermont,” Mraz said.

Some recent good news - Vermont nonprofit One Hive just awarded more than $1.7 million to state pollinator recovery efforts. Plus, new research at UVM is helping beekeepers detect and breed more disease-resistant colonies.

Restrictions on a popular class of pesticides passed last year by Vermont lawmakers won’t start until 2029.

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