Those surveyed reported Varroa mite infestations at counter-productively high rates around 70%. These invasive pests have played a huge role in record die-offs of United States honeybee colonies. These parasites mostly focus on honeybees rather than wild bee species. In particular, they play a large role in the systematic death of honeybee colonies due to stress, resulting in a chain of colony deaths. The reality highlights an urgent need for greater and more successful management. Healthy honeybee populations are essential to maintaining the pollination services that undergird U.S. food production.
Varroa mites, as we’ve already discussed, have exploded in population. Today, most beekeepers are suffering from infestations that are causing widespread destruction among their colonies. Varroa mites not only weaken honeybees by feeding on their bodily fluids but spread harmful viruses that can affect other pollinators. We know that this crisis is dire. If beekeepers can’t keep these pests under control, we’ll suffer a catastrophic decline of critical pollination services without any backup system ready to go.
Bret Adee is among the largest commercial beekeepers in the country. He told us that he lost a shocking 75% of his bee colonies due to Varroa mite infestations. “It’s absolutely insane that that’s an acceptable loss in a livestock industry,” he stated, emphasizing the severity of the crisis. As Adee reflected on his experience, he came to a surprising realization. Mites he had treated for more than two decades were pushing his mortality rates past an alarming threshold of 3%.
One of the biggest challenges in fighting these invasive species is their increasing resistance to treatment alternatives. Since the 1980s, Varroa mites have developed resistance to at least four different miticides. This includes amitraz, which is a widely used termite pesticide. Failures in recent commercial tests have proven that all sampled mites are resistant to amitraz. This new development leaves the chemical impractical for most beekeepers that depend on it to control pests.
Danielle Downey, an advocate for pollinator health, emphasized the larger impact that the honeybee crisis can have. “If you like to eat, you need healthy bees to pollinate crops,” she explained. Downey made it clear that with each passing dollar, beekeepers experience growing losses and costs that drive them further toward the brink.
The viral outbreaks directly attributed to Varroa mites cause further complications as well. In turn, infected honeybee colonies regularly encroach on and spread such outbreaks to our wild bee populations. Each spillover adds to the general trend of declining pollinator health. “Almost all bee colonies have these viruses, but they only do significant harm when the colony is stressed,” noted Dave Goulson, a researcher focused on bee health.
While the persistence of Varroa mite infestations and other stress factors rattles a precarious trumpet with jinglers for all beekeepers nationwide. Adee expressed his concerns about the potential for another catastrophic year: “If we have a similar situation this year – I sure hope we don’t – then we’re in a death spiral.” It’s a view that’s broadly felt across the agricultural community. Most important of all, they realize how vital bees are to our food supply.
Bee health expert Norman Carreck prophesied at the time of the study’s release that nothing would prevent such catastrophic losses from happening in the U.S. again. “Sadly, it was inevitable that major honeybee colony losses would again occur in the US at some point,” he stated. His comments illustrate the immediate need for more robust approaches to addressing the Varroa mite emergency. Yet, they insist, increasing the resilience of honeybee populations should be a priority.