The U.S. Beekeeping Survey: Colony Losses, Varroa, and Better Data (403)

What can nearly two decades of beekeeper-reported data tell us about colony health—and what can it not tell us? In this episode, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Dr. Geoff Williams, Dr. Nathalie Steinhauer, and Dr. Agostina Giacobino to discuss the 2026 U.S. Beekeeping Survey and its continuity after the closure of the Bee Informed Partnership.

The team explains why annual colony-loss rates function much like a mortality or turnover measure rather than a direct count of the nation's living colonies. Preliminary 2025–26 results suggest losses improved from the exceptionally difficult previous two years, yet the national annual estimate remained near 40 percent. One in three responding commercial beekeepers reported losing more than half their colonies—sobering numbers even in a comparatively better year.

Nathalie and Agostina describe how consistent questions make long-term comparisons possible, while new dashboards help beekeepers, researchers, inspectors, and extension professionals explore management trends. The conversation highlights increased adoption of Varroa monitoring and treatment, growing commercial use of oxalic acid amid concerns about amitraz resistance, and a central lesson: successful Varroa control is a season-long system of prevention, monitoring, timing, and multiple tools—not a search for one magic product.

The guests also walk through the survey calendar, state participation, rapid preliminary reporting, and why both summer and winter losses matter. More than 2,300 respondents represented roughly 10 to 13 percent of U.S. colonies in the latest survey, but stronger state-level participation remains an important goal.

Before the interview, Becky answers a HiveIQ listener question about how quickly pulled honey supers should be extracted.

Websites from the episode and others we recommend:

• Preliminary Results from the 2025-2026 US Beekeeping Survey: Honey Bee Loss and Management: https://apiaryinspectors.org/US-beekeeping-survey-25-26
  
  
• Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org
• Project Apis m. (PAm): https://www.projectapism.org
• The National Honey Board: https://honey.com
• Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com

Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

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HiveIQ is revolutionizing the way beekeepers manage their colonies with innovative, insulated hive systems designed for maximum colony health and efficiency. Their hives maintain stable temperatures year-round, reduce stress on the bees, and are built to last using durable, lightweight materials. Whether you're managing two hives or two hundred, HiveIQ's smart design helps your bees thrive while saving you time and effort. Learn more at HiveIQ.com.

We'd like to thank Vita Bee Health for supporting the podcast. Vita provides proven tools for controlling Varroa—from Apistan and Apiguard to the new VarroxSan extended-release oxalic acid strips—helping beekeepers keep stronger, healthier colonies.

Thanks for Northern Bee Books for their support. Northern Bee Books is the publisher of bee books available worldwide from their website or from Amazon and bookstores everywhere. They are also the publishers of The Beekeepers Quarterly and Natural Bee Husbandry.

Thanks to Bee Culture, the Magazine of American Beekeeping, for their support of Honey Bee Obscura. Available in print and digital at www.beeculture.com

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Faraday by BeGun; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Wedding Day by Boomer; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; Red Jack Blues by Daniel Hart; Bolero de la Fontero by Rimsky Music; Perfect Sky by Graceful Movement; I'm Not Running Away This Time by Max Brodie; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott.

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

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Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC