The Possible Demise of the Bees in the USA – A Personal Reflection and Call to Action

Image by Mozart Telles with AI assistance. All Rights Reserved.

I’ve been a beekeeper for just a year, but it feels like I’ve lived a lifetime in this one season.

When I first started, I had four colonies—my very own buzzing little miracles. I sourced them from local vendors. One was a reputable nuc from a successful lawyer-turned-hobbyist, and the other three were purchased in an impulsive flurry from a backyard Russian seller who operated a very shady-looking setup. I should’ve known better. But that’s the charm and curse of first-time beekeeping, isn’t it? Enthusiasm tends to outpace wisdom.

By the end of this winter, I had lost all four of my hives. Every single one. It was heartbreaking. A total loss. Or so I thought.

One miracle did happen, though—this spring, I found that a swarm had moved into one of my old hives. They just showed up, as if sent by nature itself to give me another shot. I quickly moved them into a NUC and shifted their location to a better-protected spot. Right now, in early April, I’m doing everything I can to keep that little colony alive. They are my last hope.

A Bleak Outlook for Bees in 2025

This isn't just my story—it could be the story of American beekeeping in 2025.

Scientists are warning of a potentially devastating year ahead for honey bees in the US. Projections suggest that we may lose between 60% to 70% of our colonies this year (Griffin & Avalos, 2025). These aren’t just abstract numbers; this is a looming crisis that could have far-reaching effects on agriculture, food production, and the ecological balance we all depend on.

According to Project Apis m., commercial operators have reported catastrophic declines, with an average loss of 62% from June to February (Griffin & Avalos, 2025). These are staggering numbers, especially when considering that honey bees are responsible for pollinating $15 to $17 billion worth of crops annually (USAFacts, 2023; Griffin & Avalos, 2025). Add in wild bees—whose populations remain critically under-documented and underserved—and the economic and ecological impact becomes almost incalculable (USAFacts, 2023).

🌱 Question for readers:

Are you seeing similar losses in your apiary or region? What do you think is behind it? Answer in the comments

Diagnosing Death: Varroa or Nosema?

When the Massachusetts state inspector came by to examine my hives, her quick assessment was: Varroa destructor mites. These tiny parasites latch onto honey bees, feeding on their fat bodies and spreading devastating viruses. They’re often referred to as the single greatest threat to modern beekeeping.

Varroa can cause:

Deformed wings and impaired flight
Weakening of immune systems
Increased vulnerability to viral infections
Collapse of entire colonies, especially over winter

But I wasn’t entirely convinced. I needed to know for myself.

So I took the bodies of my dead bees and performed my own rudimentary lab-grade dissection. After careful examination and multiple microscopy sessions, I discovered clear signs of Nosema spp., a microsporidian parasite that invades the digestive tract of bees, leading to dysentery, weakened foraging, and shortened lifespans.

Note: Recent research confirms that Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis are serious threats to bee health, especially during periods of stress and poor nutrition (Bee Culture, 2023).

🌍 Question for readers: Have you encountered Nosema in your hives? Did it mimic or get misdiagnosed as something else, like Varroa damage?

Image by me created with AI. All Rights Reserved.

My Plan: Fight Back with Science and Investment

I’ve decided Nosema was the real culprit. And based on that, I’m making some big changes this year.

I’ve purchased an expensive medication specifically formulated to treat Nosema, currently produced by only one company worldwide.
I’m starting fresh with high-quality bees. I’ve invested in four new colonies:
1. Three colonies of POL-LINE VSH bees from Massachusetts—genetically selected by USDA for their resistance to Varroa mites and superior winter survivability (USDA, 2022).
2. One colony of Italian/Carniolan hybrid bees from Kinnibees in Wisconsin—descendants of elite breeder queens from Latshaw Apiaries, where some queens fetch over $700.

In addition, I’ve committed to a complete environmental overhaul:

I’m placing hives in a treehouse apiary 15 feet above ground, at the tree line’s edge for wind protection.
Each hive will be monitored with digital sensors tracking internal humidity and temperature in real time.
I’m wrapping each hive in 4 inches of rigid foam insulation to buffer against extreme cold, reduce condensation, and moderate internal temperature swings.
I plan to insulate the treehouse structure itself, sealing gaps, adding thermal barriers, and improving airflow control to maintain an ideal overwintering microclimate.
I’m also considering using heat-retaining materials inside the hive bases and possibly integrating passive solar designs.

This is not just about short-term survival—this is about engineering an ecosystem where bees can thrive with as little environmental stress as possible.

🐝 Question for readers: What genetics are you investing in this year, and why? Do you go for local adaptation, mite resistance, overwintering ability—or all of the above?

An Insulated Future: Building the Bee Sanctuary

My goal is to transform my apiary into a sanctuary where my bees can not only survive—but flourish.

The idea of the treehouse apiary is more than whimsical—it’s strategic. Being off the ground minimizes exposure to soil moisture, flooding, and predator intrusion. The tree canopy acts as a natural windbreak. The elevation reduces sudden cold air pooling during winter nights.

But the real innovation is in the layered insulation strategy:

4-inch rigid foam insulation around each hive body helps maintain internal warmth and prevent condensation, which can be deadly in cold climates.
External insulation barriers on the treehouse walls reduce wind chill effects, while vapor barriers help control internal humidity.
Reflective insulation wraps redirect heat from sunlight back into the hive.
I'm also experimenting with passive solar walls and thermal mass—placing stones or dark materials near hives to absorb and slowly release heat.
Plans include automated temperature control systems, using programmable fans or vents to maintain stable internal environments based on live sensor feedback.

These innovations are part of a larger personal mission: to not just survive this winter, but to document and share what works so other cold-climate beekeepers can follow a blueprint that actually works.

We are no longer in a time where guesswork can save bees. In 2025, we need a new standard—one grounded in precision, observation, and adaptation.

🏠 Question for readers: Have you tried elevating your hives or altering your microclimate? What insulation methods or tech tools have helped your colonies thrive?

Conclusion: We Need a Bee Renaissance

This isn’t just about one beekeeper in Massachusetts trying to stay hopeful. This is about all of us. The bees are in crisis. We must adapt, evolve, and share what we learn if we hope to keep this sacred bond alive between humans and the most important pollinators on Earth.

If you’ve experienced loss, struggle, or triumph with your bees—please share in the comments below. I want this blog to become a space where we can collaborate, troubleshoot, and build resilience together.

🌼 Final Questions for You:

What is your plan to make your apiary more resilient in 2025?
Are you trying new genetics or old methods?
What’s your biggest concern for this beekeeping season?

Let’s keep the bees buzzing. Together.

References

Bee Culture. (2023). Nosema disease: What it means to beekeepers. https://www.beeculture.com/nosema-disease-what-it-means-to-beekeepers/

Griffin, D., & Avalos, S. (2025, April 1). U.S. honeybee deaths soar, and grocery store bills could take the hit. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com

USAFacts. (2023, May 5). How much have US bee populations fallen, and why? https://usafacts.org

USDA. (2022, September 8). ARS-developed Varroa-resistant honey bees better winter survivors. United States Department of Agriculture. https://www.ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2022/ars-developed-varroa-resistant-honey-bees-better-winter-survivors/

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