Minnesota Honeybee Decline Linked to Mites and Warm Fall

Minnesota beekeepers are experiencing sudden disappearances of honeybee colonies, likely due to varroa mite infestations exacerbated by an unusually warm fall. The mites, which spread viruses among bees, have been a persistent issue, and the extended egg-laying season has allowed them to proliferate. This situation differs from "colony collapse disorder," as the entire hive, including the queen, vanishes. Despite these challenges, beekeepers like Kirk Nelson remain committed to their operations, planning to start new hives in the spring.