The 2025 Honey Bee Crisis: A Call to Action for Beekeepers, Farmers & Pollinators - April 3, 2025 | Jason Martin
Beekeepers across the United States are grappling with an unprecedented crisis. Recent reports indicate catastrophic honey bee colony losses ranging from 60% to 80%, threatening honey production and essential agricultural pollination. This alarming decline has sent shockwaves through the beekeeping community, raising urgent concerns about the survival of these vital pollinators.
A Glimpse from Old Church Honey Bee Farm
At Old Church Honey Bee Farm, we've been fortunate to maintain some stable colonies, but the road ahead remains uncertain. Our goal to expand to 50 colonies this season feels increasingly out of reach. However, with the support of our neighbors and fellow beekeepers, we remain hopeful. No beekeeper is immune to the mounting challenges facing apiaries nationwide, and we count ourselves lucky to still be in the game.
Understanding the Decline: A Complex Puzzle
There is no single answer to why honey bee populations are plummeting. The troubling reality is that researchers are still working to pinpoint the exact causes. Is this a "perfect storm" of multiple factors, or is there something new at play? Organizations like the USDA, Cornell University, and Oregon State University are actively investigating the crisis, but many questions remain unanswered.
Key Contributors to Bee Decline
Toxic Chemicals & Pesticides
Neonicotinoids, a class of pesticides, are especially harmful to bees, impairing their ability to forage, navigate, and reproduce. When plants are treated with these chemicals, toxins infiltrate their pollen and nectar—posing severe risks to pollinators. To put it into perspective, neonicotinoids are about 6,000 times more toxic to bees than DDT.
Environmental Stressors
Climate change is disrupting seasonal cycles, leading to erratic weather patterns, droughts, and habitat loss. These unpredictable conditions make it increasingly difficult for honey bee colonies to thrive.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Large-scale monoculture farming has drastically reduced the diversity of pollen sources available to bees. This lack of nutritional variety weakens colonies, making them more susceptible to disease and environmental pressures.
Pests & Disease
The varroa mite remains one of the most devastating threats to honey bees, spreading deadly viruses and weakening entire hives. Other infections, such as Nosema and American foulbrood, further endanger colony stability.
What Can We Do to Help?
Despite the severity of the crisis, there are steps individuals and communities can take to support pollinator health.
Create Pollinator-Friendly Spaces
Planting diverse, pesticide-free flowers provides essential food sources for bees throughout the year.
Advocate for Sustainable Practices
Reducing chemical pesticide use in agriculture and landscaping can help protect pollinators. Supporting local beekeepers and purchasing ethically sourced honey also makes a difference.
A Call to Action
The challenges of 2025 are daunting, but awareness and action can help prevent further losses. At Old Church Honey Bee Farm, we remain committed to educating our community and championing the protection of these essential pollinators. Our honey is harvested ethically, ensuring that colonies retain ample resources to thrive naturally. However, with colony losses at an all-time high, honey harvesting this year will be rare. Our priority now, even early in the season is preparing our bees for another uncertain winter ahead.
Whether you're a beekeeper, gardener, or simply someone who values nature, you have a role to play in safeguarding honey bees. Every small effort contributes to a larger movement to protect these vital creatures.
Easy Ways to Support Pollinators This Spring
Let the dandelions grow. They provide a crucial early food source for bees.
Leave some leaves and deadwood. These materials create valuable nesting sites for pollinators.
Install wood nesting blocks to support wood-nesting native bees.
Plant native or non-invasive species. Avoid aggressive plants like Japanese knotweed, which outcompete native vegetation.
Group plants in clusters. This makes it easier for pollinators to locate food sources.
Plan for continuous blooms. Select plants that flower from spring through fall to ensure a steady food supply.
Provide a wind-protected, sunlit garden space with a water source. Bees need shelter and hydration just like any other living creature.
By taking action now, we can help restore honey bee populations and ensure a more sustainable future for agriculture and biodiversity. Let’s work together to make a difference—our pollinator friends are depending on us.
