The New Wave of Bee Losses: Is Colony Collapse Returning?
- Angie Cercle
- Aug 5
- 6 min read
Something strange and sad is happening to honey bees again. Beekeepers across the U.S. are worried because a huge number of bees are disappearing. In fact, a whopping 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost between April 2023 - 2024, according to the Apiary Instructors of America. That means more than half of the hives people take care of are suddenly empty or dying.
Many beekeepers are asking the same question: “What are you noticing in the beekeeping community this year or in your hives?” Some wonder if this could be the second wave of a mysterious problem called Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD. Could we be seeing it return? Together, we’ll explore what CCD is, how it affects bees, and why it matters to all of us.
Understanding Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)
Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD, is what scientists call it when most of the worker bees in a hive suddenly vanish. They leave behind the queen bee, some baby bees (called brood), and even plenty of food, but the hive is strangely empty. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says this is a serious issue for honey bees, which are important pollinators.
CCD was first widely noticed in 2006, and scientists were puzzled. One study looked at 61 possible causes but couldn’t find just one reason for the problem. However, they did notice that bees from CCD-affected hives had more germs and viruses than usual.
A clear sign of CCD is an abandoned hive that still has food, no dead bees around it, and the queen and brood left behind. It’s like the worker bees went out and never came back—and no one knows exactly why.
Why Bees Are Dying
Bees are facing a combination of threats that are causing their populations to decline. One major issue is parasites, especially the varroa mite.The varroa mite weakens bees’ immune systems and spreads viruses, and the Environmental Protection Agency links it to a major colony collapse in 2006, when many bees mysteriously vanished. East Coast beekeeper Jeff Kline adds, “Certainly the summer droughts we have experienced over the last couple of years have not helped, and varroa mites are always a problem if not controlled”.
Climate change is also playing a role, with extreme weather disrupting bees' food supply and life cycles. Dave Hunter of Crown Bees explains, “The challenge is climate change, not enough nesting areas, and of course the reliance upon chemicals in a yard-”. Pesticides are another factor, with the USDA reporting that acute and chronic pesticide exposure to honey bees can lead directly to bee mortality.
What’s Happening Now? Signs of a Second Wave
Concerns are growing that we may be witnessing signs of a second major bee collapse, similar to the Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) crisis of the mid-2000s. A university bee lab warns that both wild and managed bees are disappearing from places they used to live and are dying at rates that can’t be sustained. In 2019–2020, the loss rate of US honeybee hives was over 40%.
More recent data from 2023–2024 suggest the problem is getting worse. Beekeeper Jeff Kline reports, “I am hearing from a lot of beekeepers that hive losses coming out of the winter have been unusually high. One report I read had the losses at over 50% in some areas—. The reason is not clear but there is an effort by the industry to understand it better.” These rising losses point to serious ongoing challenges for bee populations and raise alarms about the health of pollinators we all rely on.
Voices from the Hive: Beekeepers Speak Out
Beekeepers across the country, from small backyard keepers to large commercial operations, are raising the alarm about the growing challenges they face. Jeff Kline, an East Coast beekeeper, points to climate change as a key concern: “I am most concerned about global warming and its effect on our immediate environment. Summer droughts have become a regular and serious concern for our local area.”
Droughts, changing temperatures, and unpredictable weather are disrupting bee behavior and limiting their access to food. On the West Coast, Dave Hunter of Crown Bees shares concerns about native bees, saying that his instinct is to say things are “worse” for them this year. Beekeepers are not only losing hives over winter but also noticing weaker colonies overall. These experiences reflect a bigger story, one where environmental changes, pests, and human actions are making it harder for bees to survive and thrive.
Beyond Honey Bees: What About Native Bees?
While honey bees often get the spotlight, native bees are just as important, and possibly even more vulnerable. Native bees and honey bees sometimes compete for the same flowers, but native bees face unique threats. “Wild bees, if they are able to nest and not get wiped out by chemicals, could be doing ok, but mostly no one focuses on them,” says Dave Hunter. He also explains that honey bees have been bred repeatedly within limited gene pools, which may be weakening them and affecting their ability to survive winters. These challenges should push us to think more broadly: What can we learn from the decline of honey bees to protect native pollinators? Raising awareness, reducing pesticide use, and supporting healthy habitats can benefit all bees, not just the ones in hives.
As our article makes clear, colony collapse disorder and widespread bee losses today stem from a complex set of factors. Planet Bee Foundation counters this crisis through a multifaceted approach: offering FREE hands‑on STEM education, community science projects, native‑bee house building, and partnerships across schools, nonprofits, and corporations designed to enhance pollinator resilience. By sponsoring or donating to Planet Bee or by hosting one of our corporate engagement workshops or apiaries you help fund vital outreach and habitat restoration efforts, amplify STEM education on native and honey bees, and build community based scientists! Your support helps safeguard pollinators of all kinds and ensures healthier ecosystems for years to come.
Taking Action: What You Can Do In Your Neighborhood – Join the Buzz!
Want to help out the bees? Try joining a community science project! By recording the bees, butterflies, and other pollinators you see, you help researchers track important changes in nature. It’s easy, fun, and makes a real impact. Get started today by visiting the iNaturalist Project. Your small actions can help create a big buzz for pollinator health!
Helping bees doesn’t require a lab coat, just a little care and curiosity. You can support pollinators by choosing organic, locally grown food and avoiding pesticides in your yard. Planting native, bee-friendly flowers is another simple way to make a big difference. These blooms give bees the food and shelter they need to thrive. Remember, conservation isn’t just for scientists. Everyone counts in pollinator conservation. Whether you’re a backyard gardener, student, or community scientist, your observations matter.
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