As reported in The Hutchinson News: Honey bee colonies in Kansas have increased since January, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. As of Jan.1, 2021, there were 5,000 colonies. By April 1, the number of colonies in Kansas rose to 7,500.
Nationally, the numbers are different. There were about 3 million bee colonies in the U.S. this past January. This was up 2% from the previous year. But unlike in Kansas, the nationwide numbers decreased from 2.92 million in January to 2.86 million in July of this year.
In 2020, honey bee colonies in Kansas on Jan. 1, April 1, July 1 and Oct. 1 were 4,500, 7,500, 7,000 and 6,000, respectively. The 2020 October-December quarter showed the highest number of lost honey bee colonies of any quarter in 2020, at 2,400 or 34%. The quarter in 2020 with the lowest number of colonies lost was April-June, with a loss of 9%. Kansas’ losses were higher than the nationwide average. Nationwide, the drop was anywhere from 9 to 15%. 
GG’s Honey Beez and More in Hutchinson is having a good year. They have relocated some hives, but according to the company’s co-owner, Mark Mounce, their bees are thriving.
According to the USDA, more than 2,000 honey bee colonies in Kansas were added to operation during the first quarter of 2021. During the second quarter, there were slightly less than 5,000 colonies added.
Issues with bees. Last year, mites hit Kansas bees harder than the national average. According to the USDA, Varroa mites were the number one stressor for colonies in Kansas last year. The quarter of July-September 2020 showed the highest percentage of varroa mites in 2020, at 93.8%. Nationwide, the highest percentage recorded for 2020 was about 55%. The percent of colonies in Kansas reported to be affected by varroa mites in 2021 has decreased significantly. The April-June 2021 Kansas rate stands at slightly more than 45%. These 2021 Kansas statistics are similar to the nationwide ones.
Varroa mites are difficult to abolish, but Mounce said they are able to be controlled.
“You always have to be on top of them,” he said. “There’s different procedures and treatments you can do.”
Along with flowers, alfalfa, canola, corn, cotton and sunflower, all benefit from pollinators.
Varroa mites are difficult to abolish, but Mounce said they are able to be controlled.
“You always have to be on top of them,” he said. “There’s different procedures and treatments you can do.”
Along with flowers, alfalfa, canola, corn, cotton and sunflower, all benefit from pollinators.
