Big problem in the U.S. right now — honey bee deaths are skyrocketing. Beekeepers across the country just reported losing over 62% of their colonies between June 2024 and March 2025. That’s 1.6 million colonies gone. That’s not just sad — that’s dangerous.
We’re not just talking about honey here. These bees pollinate 75% of our crops — fruits, nuts, veggies. No bees? No blueberries, no almonds, no melons, no pumpkins. Fewer bees means smaller harvests, and that means higher grocery bills for everybody.
Why is this happening?
It’s not just one thing — it’s a mix of deadly mites (like Varroa), diseases, poor nutrition (thanks to habitat destruction), and now crazy weather swings. Add it all up, and our pollinators are getting crushed.
And this isn’t just a nature problem — this hits people’s wallets and lives. I’ve been in this game a while. I see what’s going on firsthand. Beekeepers are taking huge hits — some even betting the farm just to keep their operations alive. And when the bees vanish, those crops don’t get pollinated. Which means food shortages and skyrocketing prices.
Texas has been especially hard hit, and it matters more than people realize — a lot of those bees get shipped out to pollinate crops in California and other states. If they don’t make it, a lot of farms are in trouble.
So what can we do?
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Plant bee-friendly plants — wildflowers, herbs, anything that blooms.
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Avoid spraying pesticides — especially during bloom times.
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Support local beekeepers — every jar of local honey is a vote for pollination.
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And if you see a swarm, don’t kill it — call a local relocation expert like me. Bees can be moved safely and put back to work.
This isn’t just about saving bees — it’s about food security, community resilience, and protecting what little balance we have left.
We’re not just rescuing bees here at Miami Raw Honey — we’re building a local network of people who care, who watch for swarms, and who are part of the solution.
Stay aware. Stay involved. The bees are talking — we need to listen.
— Rigoberto De La Portilla
aka The Tattooed Beekeeper
✅ Claim: “Beekeepers lost over 62% of colonies between June 2024 and March 2025.”
Status: Accurate.
That stat comes straight from recent surveys reported in NBC News and The Weather Channel, citing commercial beekeeper reports. It's one of the highest rates of colony loss on record.
✅ Claim: “Bees pollinate 75% of crops.”
Status: Accurate but general.
Bees pollinate around one-third of the food we eat directly, but up to 75% of crops rely on animal pollination (which includes bees). That includes almonds, apples, melons, berries, and more.
✅ Claim: “Causes include Varroa mites, diseases, poor nutrition, and extreme weather.”
Status: 100% Accurate.
This combo is well-documented in USDA reports, entomological journals, and beekeeper field reports. Varroa destructor mites are one of the biggest killers, and climate extremes are compounding the stress on colonies.
✅ Claim: “Losses will raise food prices.”
Status: Very Likely/Supported.
When pollination services decline, crop yields drop. Less supply = higher prices. We’ve seen this with almonds, berries, and other bee-dependent crops. The Texas situation especially matters because it impacts migratory beekeeping, which supports big ag in California and other states.
✅ Advice: “Plant flowers, don’t spray pesticides, support local beekeepers, call a relocator.”
Status: Spot-on.
Those are all key steps recommended by pollinator conservation groups like the Xerces Society and even the EPA.
