Counting Bee Colonies

Honey bee colonies for operations with five or more colonies in Nebraska as of January 1, 2024 totaled 17,500 according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The number of colonies in Nebraska on April 1, 2024 was 11,000. During 2023, honey bee colonies on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 were 17,000, 8,000, 32,000, and 39,000, respectively.

Honey bee colonies lost for operations with five or more colonies during the quarter of
January-March 2024, was 1,200 colonies or 6% lost. During April-June 2024, 1,200 colonies or
5% of colonies were lost. The quarter of October-December 2023, at 5,500 or 13%, showed the
highest number of lost honey bee colonies of any quarter in 2023. The quarter of January-March
2023 had a loss of 1,100 colonies or 5%, the lowest number of honey bee colonies lost in 2023.

Honey bee colonies added for operations with five or more colonies during the quarter of
January-March 2024, was 0 colonies. The number of colonies added during the April-June 2024
quarter was 10,500. The quarter of April-June 2023, added 10,000 colonies, the highest number
of honey bee colonies added for any quarter in 2023. The quarter of January-March 2023, at
0 added, showed the lowest number of honey bee colonies added during 2023.

Honey bee colonies renovated for operations with five or more colonies during the quarter of
January-March 2024, was 0 colonies. The number of colonies renovated during the quarter of
April-June 2024 was 9,500. During July-September 2023, 3,100 colonies were renovated, the
highest number of colonies renovated during 2023. The lowest number of honey bee colonies
renovated for any quarter of 2023, at 0, occurred during January-March 2023. Renovated
colonies are those that were requeened or received new honey bees through a nuc or package.

Varroa mites were the number one stressor for operations with five or more colonies during
all quarters of 2023. The quarter of April-June 2023 showed the highest percentage of varroa
mites during 2023, at 27.4%. The percent of colonies reported to be affected by varroa mites
during January-March 2024, and April-June 2024 were 14.8% and 5.9%, respectively.

Honey bee colonies for operations with five or more colonies in Kansas as of January 1, 2024 totaled 2,400 according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The number of colonies in Kansas on April 1, 2024 was 3,900. During 2023, honey bee colonies on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 were 3,300, 2,500, 3,300, and 3,300, respectively.

Honey bee colonies lost for operations with five or more colonies, during the quarter of
January-March 2024, was 270 colonies or 7% lost. During the quarter of April-June 2024,
480 colonies or 8% of colonies were lost. The 2023 October-December quarter showed the
highest number of lost honey bee colonies of any quarter in 2023, at 800, or 24%. The quarter in
2023 with the lowest number of colonies lost was July-September, with 400 colonies lost, or 7%.

Honey bee colonies added for operations with five or more colonies, during the quarter of
January-March 2024, was 170 colonies. The number of colonies added during the April-June
2024 quarter was 2,100. The quarter of April-June 2023, added 1,600 colonies, the highest
number of honey bee colonies added for any quarter in 2023. The quarter of October-December
2023, at 110 added, showed the lowest number of honey bee colonies added for any quarter in
2023.

Honey bee colonies renovated for operations with five or more colonies, during the quarter of
January-March 2024, was 10 colonies. The number of colonies renovated during the quarter of
April-June 2024 was 960. During April-June 2023, 360 colonies were renovated, the highest
number of colonies renovated during 2023. The lowest number of honey bee colonies renovated
for any quarter in 2023, at 20, occurred during January-March 2023. Renovated colonies are
those that were requeened or received new honey bees through a nuc or package.

Varroa mites were the number one stressor for operations with five or more colonies during
all quarters of 2023. The quarter of July-September 2023 showed the highest percentage of
varroa mites in 2023, at 70.8%. The percent of colonies reported to be affected by varroa mites
during January-March 2024, and April-June 2024 were 23.5% and 42.0%, respectively.