An annual survey of U.S. beekeepers shows record death losses of honeybees over this past winter. The Bee Informed Partnership surveyed 4,700 beekeepers and found nearly 38 percent of the 300,000 U.S. honeybee colonies died this past winter. Bruce, South Dakota Beekeeper Richard Adee says the losses were at record levels in South Dakota at up to 50 percent.
Experts connected the bee losses to mites, but Adee thinks the main cause was pesticide use.
Adee says U.S. honey production will be down compared to past years and U.S. beekeepers will face tough competition from imported man made honey.
Adee says most of the imported honey comes from China and backdoor through other countries like India to avoid tariffs.
