Commercial honeybees facing higher-than-normal die-off this year

WAMC Northeast Public Radio | By Samantha Simmons

Published May 3, 2025 at 9:33 AM EDT

David Peck, Director of Research and Education at Betterbee, a nationwide beekeeping equipment and education supplier in Washington County.

Commercial honeybees are experiencing a higher-than-normal die-off this year and researchers aren't sure why. Beekeepers across the nation are losing up to 70 percent of their hives, likely because of a slew of different factors. Bee loss is not new, however. That's according to David Peck, the Director of Research and Education at Betterbee, a nationwide beekeeping equipment and education supplier in Washington County. WAMC's Samantha Simmons spoke with Peck to learn more about why this year is different.