A big thank you to everyone in the Central Oregon Beekeepers Association who took the time to complete the 2025–2026 Pacific Northwest Honey Bee Survey!

Because of your participation, COBKA had 20 survey respondents this year, and our members reported an overwinter loss of just 13%. That's well below the statewide average of 24.4%.

The survey also highlights some trends that are valuable for all beekeepers:

Varroa mites, queen issues, and weak colonies entering fall continue to be the most commonly reported contributors to winter losses.

Monitoring mite levels and treating when needed remain among the most effective tools for improving winter survival.

Strong fall colonies continue to be one of the best predictors of successful overwintering.

The PNW Honey Bee Survey is one of the longest-running citizen science projects for beekeepers in our region. Every response helps researchers and beekeepers better understand what is and isn't working across. We hope even more Central Oregon beekeepers will participate next year!

2025-26 PNW Honey Bee Survey Reports for Individual Clubs

Winter Bee Losses of Oregon Backyard Beekeepers for 2025-2026 PDF