State Honey Bee Colonies Remain in Good Shape

Honey bee colonies for operations with five or more colonies in North Dakota as of January 1, 2022 totaled 75,000 according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The number of colonies in North Dakota on April 1, 2022 was 90,000. During 2021, honey bee colonies on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 were 51,000, 42,000, 510,000, and 485,000, respectively.

Honey bee colonies lost for operations with five or more colonies during the quarter of January-March 2022, was 120 colonies. During April-June 2022, 16,500 colonies or 4% of colonies were lost. The quarter of July-September 2021, at 67,000 or 12%, showed the highest number of lost honey bee colonies of any quarter during 2021. The quarter of January-March 2021 had a loss of 180 colonies, the lowest number of honey bee colonies lost in 2021.

Honey bee colonies added for operations with five or more colonies during the quarter of January-March 2022, was 300 colonies. The number of colonies added during the April-June 2022 quarter was 12,000. The quarter of April-June 2021 added 11,500 colonies, the highest number of honey bee colonies added for any quarter during 2021. The quarter of January-March 2021, at 2,700 added, showed the lowest number of honey bee colonies added in 2021.

Honey bee colonies renovated for operations with five or more colonies during the quarter of January-March 2022, was 0 colonies. The number of colonies renovated during the quarter of April-June 2022 was 9,000. During July-September 2021, 14,500 colonies were renovated, the highest number of colonies renovated during 2021. The lowest number of honey bee colonies renovated for any quarter, at 0, occurred during January-March 2021. 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 of the quarters in 2021. The quarter of July-September 2021 showed the highest percentage of varroa mites in 2021, at 31.7%. The percent of colonies reported to be affected by varroa mites during January-March 2022, and April-June 2022 were 33.1% and 38.7%, respectively.