01-05-2025
Honeybee Crisis: Louisiana beekeepers report historic colony losses
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — It's a tiny insect with a massive impact, but in 2025, honeybee populations in Louisiana are facing their worst decline on record.
Beekeepers across the state are raising the alarm after reporting an estimated 60% loss of honeybee colonies this year alone. Experts warn the collapse of these vital pollinators could ripple far beyond the hive—impacting everything from crop production to grocery prices.
In Baton Rouge, longtime beekeeper Kevin Langley, Vice President of the Louisiana Beekeepers Association, said the trend is heartbreaking.
'It's heartbreaking to see bee colonies die because we depend on these colonies to feed our community,' said Langley.
Pollination from bees plays a critical role in growing fruits and vegetables like strawberries, cucumbers, and melons, all major Louisiana crops.
According to Morgan Christman, a pollinator ecologist at Louisiana State University, the fallout could be felt in grocery aisles across the country.
'We're likely going to see reduced crop yields, which is also going to impact the quality of the crops being produced,' Christman said. 'This will likely create shortages for crops across the country.'
Beekeepers say a combination of monocropping, pesticide use, habitat loss, and disease is to blame. Langley warns that modern farming practices are weakening bees' immune systems, making it easier for chemicals and pathogens to wipe out entire colonies.
'With our current farm practices, it's weakening their immune system, allowing the pesticides and pathogens to kill the colonies,' he explained.
Despite the alarming numbers, there is hope. Farmers, researchers, and environmentalists are working to educate the public on bee-friendly practices, such as planting pollinator gardens, avoiding pesticide use during bloom periods, and preserving green spaces.
From farm fields to front yards, every effort to protect Louisiana's pollinators makes a difference.
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