Vermont 2024-2025 Colony Loss Report

The Vermont Bee Lab conducted a 2024–2025 colony loss survey to evaluate honey bee health and management challenges among Vermont’s commercial and sideline beekeeping operations. Phone surveys captured data from 12 operations representing 6,434 colonies. Vermont beekeepers reported an annual loss of 56.08%, with winter losses (47.96%) far exceeding summer losses (15.61%). Migratory operations lost 56.36% of colonies annually, while stationary operations lost 58.31%. Pesticide exposure and Varroa were the most frequently cited causes of mortality. Vermont’s loss rates align closely with national trends, including the record-high 55.6% U.S. loss reported for the same period, indicating that Vermont beekeepers are experiencing challenges consistent with widespread national colony mortality.