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U.S. honeybees had the worst winter die-off in more than a decade

Varroa mites and diseases did the most damage, but weather disasters didn’t help

honeybees

WINTER WOES The worst winter losses of U.S. honeybee colonies in more than a decade raise worries about how much punishment these crop pollinators can take.

FarmersGov

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

U.S. honeybees just weathered an unusually bad winter.

About 38 percent of beekeepers’ colonies died between October 1, 2018, and April 1, 2019, the Bee Informed Partnership estimates.