Why Are Bees Dying in the UK? What’s Really Causing Winter Hive Losses

Why Are Bees Dying in the UK? What’s Really Causing Winter Hive Losses

Why Are Bees Dying in the UK? What's Really Causing Winter Hive Losses

Recent reports across the UK have highlighted rising bee colony losses, with many blaming prolonged wet weather. In Devon in particular, beekeepers have reported what's being described as "devastating" losses, with some apiaries experiencing significant die-offs following one of the wettest winters in recent memory.

According to this BBC News report on bee losses in Devon, unusually persistent rain has been linked to bees being unable to leave the hive—raising concerns about the impact of weather on colony survival.

But is wet weather really the main reason bees are dying in the UK?

At Stone's Honey, our experience this winter suggests there may be more going on.

Our Winter Results: A Different Outcome

This winter, we've lost just one colony, with the rest coming through in strong, healthy condition.

That's something we're incredibly pleased with—but it hasn't always been this way.

Over the previous two winters, we experienced losses of around 25–30% of our hives. Like many UK beekeepers facing winter colony losses, we had to take a step back and ask:
why are our bees dying over winter—and what can we change?

Bee Losses in Devon: A Closer Look

Reports from Devon suggest the scale of losses has been severe in some areas. In fact, some local beekeepers have reported extremely high winter losses, with one estimate suggesting up to 80% colony loss in parts of East Devon. (Winactiekaart)

Wet weather has been widely suggested as the main cause. Long periods of rain can:

  • Prevent bees from leaving the hive
  • Stop cleansing flights
  • Increase stress within the colony

But while this explanation makes sense on the surface, it may not tell the whole story.

Is Wet Weather Really Killing Bees?

There's no doubt that poor weather affects bees. But honeybees live successfully in some of the wettest regions in the world, including:

  • Western Ireland
  • Coastal Canada
  • Parts of New Zealand

These environments often experience more sustained rainfall than the UK—yet healthy colonies still survive.

If wet weather alone were responsible, we would expect similar losses across all beekeepers exposed to the same conditions.

But that's not what we're seeing.

Some beekeepers—particularly in areas like Devon—have experienced heavy losses, while others have come through winter with strong colonies.

This suggests that weather may contribute, but is unlikely to be the sole cause.

The Likely Cause: Varroa and Hidden Winter Collapse

From our experience—and from conversations with experienced beefarmers—Varroa mites are a far more likely driver of winter hive losses.

Varroa affects bees in two key ways:

  • Directly, by weakening individual bees
  • Indirectly, by spreading viruses throughout the colony

What makes this particularly difficult is that the signs are not always obvious.

What we saw in previous years:

  • Colonies had plenty of honey stores
  • There were no obvious signs of high mite levels
  • Hives were often found empty, with very few dead bees

This pattern strongly suggests bees were becoming unwell and leaving the hive—likely unable to return due to illness.

This type of loss is often mistaken for weather-related issues, when in reality it may be linked to Varroa-related viruses weakening winter bees.

What We Changed in 2024

After two difficult winters, we made a clear decision going into the 2024 season:
we completely changed our Varroa management approach.

We focused on:

  • Better timing of treatments
  • More consistent monitoring of mite levels
  • Removing capped brood at the same time as applying treatment
  • Ensuring colonies were healthy before winter bees were raised

The result has been a complete turnaround.

Our colonies have successfully overwintered and are now emerging into spring as strong, healthy hives.

UK Bee Losses: A Wider Issue

This isn't just a local issue. National data has previously shown that around 20% of UK honey bee colonies are lost over winter on average, highlighting how widespread the problem has become. (Stockbridge Technology Centre)

What we're seeing now in places like Devon may simply be a more extreme version of a broader trend.

Why Healthy Bees Matter

Healthy bees are at the heart of everything we do at Stone's Honey. Strong colonies don't just survive winter—they go on to produce the raw, natural honey we supply.

If you'd like to support sustainable British beekeeping, you can explore our honey here:
👉 https://www.stoneshoney.com/collections/all

Or learn more about how we care for our bees:
👉 https://www.stoneshoney.com/pages/about-us

Key Takeaways

  • Bee colony losses in the UK—especially in Devon—have been unusually high this winter
  • Wet weather may contribute, but is unlikely to be the only cause
  • Varroa mites and the viruses they spread are a major hidden factor
  • Colonies can appear healthy but still collapse over winter
  • Improved Varroa management can dramatically reduce losses

Final Thoughts

There's no doubt this has been a challenging winter for many beekeepers, and the reports coming out of Devon highlight just how serious colony losses can be.

But our experience shows that losses are not inevitable.

By questioning assumptions and adapting our approach—particularly around Varroa—we've been able to significantly improve the health and survival of our bees.

If you've experienced winter losses, it may be worth looking beyond the weather and taking a closer look inside the hive.

Stone's Honey – producing raw, natural honey from healthy British bees.

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