Oregon Public Broadcasting

A mysterious bee-killing disease that we first reported about two years ago has again taken a heavy toll. But a leading researcher in the Northwest says scientists are finding clues to the cause. Richland correspondent Anna King reports.

Apricots are the first fruit trees to bloom in the Northwest. That means commercial beekeepers are shuttling their hives into orchards.

Orchardists hire the bees for efficient pollination. Problem is, Northwest beekeepers estimate they lost about 30 percent of their little workers over the winter.

Across the nation and the Northwest, a team of scientists are trying to figure out what's going wrong. One of those researchers is Walter Sheppard at Washington State University.

He says Colony Collapse Disorder might be several factors acting together -- like mites and pesticides.

Walter Sheppard: "We found upwards of 70 different types of pesticides in the wax. And so when you see that sort of thing happening, you realize that the bees are facing a lot of stress when they go out into fields."

Sheppard says there will still be enough bees in the Northwest to pollinate the crops this year. He says beekeepers can make up that 30 percent loss.

They will divide some of their strongest hives. But losing that many bees isn't sustainable in the long run.

Online:

Washington State Beekeepers Association

Oregon State Beekeepers Association

Inland Empire Beekeeping Association