SACRAMENTO >> A staggering loss of bee deaths nationwide could trigger a spike in hive thefts, authorities say, as the demand for healthy and hard-working bees reaches its peak in California’s almond country.

This time of year, millions of bees are needed to pollinate more than 1.5 million acres of almond trees that are planted mostly in the San Joaquin Valley.

Beehives are trucked in from across the country for what is known in the industry as the largest mass agricultural pollination event in the world.

But this year, the loads of hives are a lot lighter as beekeepers struggle with one of the biggest losses of bees in 15 years.

Scientists have yet to pinpoint the exact cause or causes, but previous losses have been attributed to an infestation of a parasitic pest called the Varroa destructor, or varroa mite, other pathogens and pesticide exposure.

The mite is one of the most damaging honey bee pests in the world and a severe infestation can wipe out an entire colony.

Black market bee businesses

Adding to the misery, thieves have figured out there is money to be made in the black market bee businesses.

Stolen hives are rented to farmers for pollination or used to make honey. The average rental rate for hives ranges from $185 to $225 an acre with many growers using two hives per acre.

Last year, hive thefts reached a record with about 3,600 hives pilfered from orchards up and down the Valley. And it could get worse as farmers scramble to find enough bees for pollination, say rural crime detectives.

“Hive theft has always been a thing, but we have never seen it like this,” said Rowdy Freeman, a deputy with the Butte County Sheriff’s Department/Rural Crime Task Force and a beekeeper.

“Everyone is saying this year is probably the largest overwinter hive loss we have ever seen and we expect to see more hive thefts. Bees are in high demand.”

To help combat beehive theft, the California State Beekeepers Association has launched a prevention program aimed at investigating theft cases along with providing tips on how to deter thieves.

Air tags, properly marked bee boxes and cameras could all be used to help protect hives, said Rocky Pipkin, of the Pipkin Detective Agency in Fresno. Pikpkin is working with the state beekeepers association to raise awareness.

In a joint statement by the nation’s leading bee industry groups, including the American Beekeeping Federation, American Honey Producers Association and Project Apis m., the losses are described as “alarming.”

“These losses are severe, broad, and may impact food security through inadequate pollination services. Survey results are still accumulating, but information gathered from 234 beekeepers found average recent losses well over 50%, with a combined financial loss of over $139 million,” according to the statement.

Bees critical for crop pollination

In a few California cases, the losses are much higher.

John Ballis, a longtime beekeeper in Sanger, reported that 80% of his hives have perished.

“This has been one of the worst years,” Ballis said. “It is just crazy.”

In the Sacramento Delta area, beekeeper Adam Boujikian operates between 800 to 1,000 hives and normally loses about eight percent of his hives. His bee losses ballooned to about 50% this year.

Despite his losses, Boujikian has been inundated with requests for bees.

“Everyone is calling looking for bees,” he said.

Ryan Burris, president of the California State Beekeepers Association, said the heavy losses of bees could cause a shortage of bees for the pollination of almonds and more than 100 other crops.

“We could run short this year,” said Burris, a third-generation beekeeper near Redding. “The situation is very unpredictable right now.”

Fresno County almond grower John Chandler said bees are critical for pollination. The fewer the bees, the potential for less fruit or nuts.

“If you are short of bees it could have a significant impact on your overall crop set,” Chandler said. “Also, if you have bad weather and the bees can’t get out much that could also be a problem.”

Chandler is hopeful the beekeeper he hired will come through with enough bees.

“Right now, there are bees coming in from all over the country to pollinate almonds and hopefully there will be enough to back fill the hives that were lost,” Chandler said. “I have faith in the beekeepers that they will be able to pull through this.”

With almond bloom just days away, the Almond Board of California issued a statement trying to allay some of the concerns.

“The Almond Board of California (ABC) is aware of commercial beekeepers reporting hive losses. The United States Department of Agriculture and beekeeping organizations are working to gather data and assess potential causes. We take our partnership with the beekeeping industry seriously and are prepared to support with additional resources once we learn more.”