TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Beekeepers report losses of over 60 percent of their colonies in Texas, devastating the population.

“Big difference for this year versus years past is, it’s just so widespread. You know, I have always seen isolated events where one beekeeper may lose high colonies, but it just seems like more and more,” Garett Slater, a honey bee specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife

“We lost 24 hives in a 10 day period,” said Daniel Lennon, chief apiarist with Honey Badger Trading Co.

Garett Slater with Texas A&M AgriLife says that these numbers have steadily increased over the last 20 years, going from 40 to 50 percent, now up to 62 percent.

The main issue is Varroa Mites, which he says have become more resistant to usual treatments.

Spreading a virus that can’t be cured.

“You ma

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