New research highlights the link between pesticide exposure and declining bee health, urging immediate policy and consumer action
Santa Rosa, California — February 25, 2025 — As beekeepers opened their hives this January to prepare for California’s almond pollination event in February, a crisis emerged before their eyes. Dead bees . . . empty hives . . . and in astonishing numbers. Forty to 100 percent of the colonies that had started out fine in the fall were dead.
trees burst into bloom this February, a groundbreaking study has emerged, shedding light on the silent crisis threatening the pollinators responsible for producing 80% of the world’s almonds. The peer-reviewed study, Longitudinal Analysis of Honey Bee Colony Health as a Function of Pesticide Exposure, published in the journal Agronomy, reveals a correlation between pesticide exposure and honey bee colony decline, with far-reaching consequences for global food production and human health.
This research, which tracked 60 commercial bee colonies over a full year, identified several pesticides—commonly used in large-scale agriculture—that significantly harm bee populations. Notably, neonicotinoids, fungicides used during almond pollination, and chemical mixtures containing organophosphates were found to weaken colonies, increasing mortality rates and compromising pollination efficiency.
The Almond Season Connection: A Crisis in the Making
Each February, nearly 90% of the nation’s honey bees are transported to California to pollinate the state’s 1.6 million acres of almond orchards. The timing of this study could not be more critical, as bees exposed to these harmful pesticides now will face long-term repercussions, affecting future crop yields, biodiversity, and food security.
Almonds are just one example of the many crops that depend on pollinators—one-third of all food consumed worldwide relies on bees for pollination. If bee colonies continue to decline at the current rate, we could see severe disruptions in food production, leading to higher prices, supply shortages, and increased reliance on synthetic alternatives with questionable health impacts.
Human Health & Safety: The Hidden Cost of Pesticides
Beyond the direct impact on bee populations, the study also raises concerns about human exposure to these pesticides. Many of the chemicals that are harmful to bees—such as neonicotinoids—have been linked to neurological disorders, autism, effects on the developing fetus, and cardiac arrhythmias in humans. These pesticides often make their way into our water supply, air, and food, posing a silent but significant public health threat.
“Urge HHS to insure citizens of the United States have access to foods that are part of a healthy eating pattern and ensuring an abundance of pollinators necessary for food production, by eliminating the use of extraordinarily toxic pesticides on food crops thereby protecting consumers, field workers, and pollinators.” said Richard Coy, commercial beekeeper from Mississippi.
“This study highlights a crucial tipping point,” says [Researcher Name], one of the study’s authors. “If we do not take immediate action to protect bees from toxic pesticide exposure, we are not only endangering pollinators but also compromising the safety of our food system and the health of future generations.”
Urgent Call for Policy Action & Consumer Awareness
The findings of this study underscore the immediate need for policy changes at the federal, state, and local levels. Proposed actions include:
Consumers also play a vital role in protecting pollinators and their own health by:
With bee populations at a breaking point, the need for collective action has never been more urgent. This study serves as both a wake-up call and an opportunity: by choosing sustainable, bee-friendly practices, we can protect pollinators, secure food production, and safeguard human health.
For media inquiries, interviews with researchers, or further information, please contact:
Susan Kegley
Pesticide Research Institute
skegley@pesticideresearch.com
###
Visit the landing page on our latest study to read, see, and learn more.
