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Commercial beekeeping industry experiencing historic loss in bee population nationwide this year

Industry experts say commercial honeybee makers nationwide have lost up to 60% of their honeybee colonies. They say the honeybee drop is the worst drop in recent decades.

Carmen Grant

Apr 21, 2025, 9:47 PM

Updated 4 hr ago

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Commercial beekeepers nationwide say there has been at least a 60% drop in their honeybee population. Industry experts are reporting millions of honeybees have died this year. They tell News 12 the current drop in the country's honeybee population is the worst they've seen in decades.
"Large, commercial beekeepers are working very hard to hit pollination target, but we don't know if it's going to be possible this year," explained master beekeeper, Grace Mehl.
As of now, local beekeepers say the honeybee crisis isn't affecting Long Island, but they say it could impact our region if the crisis worsen. "There could also be future shortages in certain foods," she added. Experts are urging Long Islanders to avoid weed killers and pesticides which they say is a threat the honeybee population.