Home / Environment / N. Ireland Bees Beat Winter Losses
N. Ireland Bees Beat Winter Losses
28 Oct
Summary
- About one-in-four bee colonies were lost last winter.
- Queen bee problems caused over half of all colony losses.
- Beekeeper investment in data aids honey bee health monitoring.
Fewer honey bee colonies were lost in Northern Ireland during the winter of 2025/26, according to new figures from the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI). The annual honey bee husbandry survey revealed that about 24% of colonies were lost, a notable improvement from the 33% loss recorded in the winter of 2024/25. This marks a return to the 24% loss rate observed in 2023/24.
Problems with the queen bee were cited as the cause for 51% of colony losses, while natural hazards like storms and theft accounted for 10%. The survey, which has run for 18 years, is considered essential for tracking bee health, colony losses, and disease prevention methods. This year saw the highest number of beekeeper responses in five years, indicating strong engagement in providing up-to-date information on the honey bee population.
AFBI entomologists emphasize the importance of monitoring honey bee populations due to their critical role in pollination, affecting one-third of human food groups and 80% of wildflowers. Despite global pressures from climate change and habitat destruction, the recent figures offer a positive outlook for bee health in Northern Ireland. The survey also monitors efforts to control the Varroa mite, a significant parasite, and potential future threats like the Tropilaelaps mite.
