The California State Beekeepers Association is partnering with a private investigation agency to offer its members protection against hive thefts that have increased 87% over the last decade.
Pipkin Detective Agency specializes in agricultural crime and is volunteering 50 hours of investigative work to the Commercial Hive Theft Program. Ryan Burris, CSBA president, said in a release that California beekeepers have lost roughly $3.5 million due to stolen beehives.
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Beehives rise in demand during California’s annual almond bloom in February. Burris anticipates the beekeeping industry will not be able to meet demand this year, with thefts reported daily.
In recent years CSBA has gathered funding for pollen substitutes, breeding and mite resistance research. Its 2025 research priorities include identifying emerging threats to honey bees and minimizing pesticide risks.
The Almond Board of California published its own appeal to members, encouraging the industry to work with beekeepers to gather data and find potential causes of the widespread hive loss.
