Since late 2019, the Wheeler family has been running a beekeeping business near San Antonio, Texas. Their goal is to produce about 3,000 bee colonies each year, which are essential for pollinating crops like watermelons and pumpkins. Unfortunately, the past few years have been tough for beekeepers, and the Wheelers are no exception. They typically lose about half of their bee colonies annually, but last year, those losses increased significantly, impacting their finances.
Ryan Wheeler, one of the co-owners, shared his concerns about the alarming rise in bee deaths. He noted that many farmers across the country depend on beekeepers like his family to pollinate over 100 types of fruits and vegetables. The situation has reached a crisis point, with commercial beekeepers in Texas reporting an average loss of two-thirds of their colonies since June, according to a recent survey. This trend mirrors the national average, where beekeepers lost around 62% of their bees during the same period. The financial impact is staggering, amounting to $635 million in losses across the country.
The Wheelers are now considering shifting their focus from pollination services to honey production, hoping this change will help their bees thrive. They, along with other beekeepers, worry about the long-term effects of these losses on the agricultural industry. With fewer bees available for pollination, the quality and quantity of crops such as watermelons, berries, and almonds could suffer.
The situation in Texas is particularly concerning. The state has seen a beekeeping boom in recent years, with the number of beekeeping businesses more than quadrupling from 2012 to 2022. However, the recent heavy losses threaten to undo this progress. Many Texas beekeepers rely heavily on sending bees to California for almond pollination, which is crucial for their income. This year, some beekeepers, including the Wheelers, were unable to send bees at all.
Tim Hollmann, who has been in the beekeeping business for over 40 years, echoed these concerns. He has faced significant challenges in meeting his quotas and reported losing more than 70% of his bees last year, far exceeding the national average. He, like many others, is puzzled by the lack of clear reasons for these losses, which have drawn comparisons to the Colony Collapse Disorder seen in the late 2000s.
Experts suggest that a combination of factors, such as parasites, pathogens, pesticides, poor nutrition, and weak queen bees, could be contributing to the problem. The Varroa mite, in particular, poses a serious threat to honey bee colonies. Researchers at Texas A&M University are working to develop bees that are resistant to these mites.
Despite the challenges, experts believe that the current situation is different from the crisis of the late 2000s. They are better prepared to address these losses and understand the underlying issues. However, if high loss rates continue, the consequences could be severe for both beekeepers and the agricultural industry as a whole.
The future of beekeeping in Texas hangs in the balance. As losses mount, there are fears that fewer young people will want to enter the industry, which is vital for food production. The Wheelers and others in the field remain hopeful that solutions can be found to protect these essential pollinators and ensure a sustainable future for beekeeping.