U.S. Beekeepers Lost 23% of Colonies Last Winter; Scientists Recommend Treating Bees for Varroa Mite

According to a national survey of honey bee colony losses conducted by the Bee Informed Partnership, the Apiary Inspectors of America, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. beekeepers lost more than one in five honey bee colonies in the winter of 2013-2014 � significantly fewer than the winter before. But tough times continue for commercial beekeepers, who are reporting substantial honey bee losses in summer as well. Beekeepers who tracked the health of their hives year-round reported year-to-year losses of more than one in three colonies between spring 2013 and spring 2014.
University of Maryland entomologist Dennis vanEngelsdorp, who directs the Bee Informed Partnership, led a team of 11 researchers who conducted the survey. A total of 7,183 beekeepers, who collectively manage about 22 percent of the country�s 2.6 million commercial honey bee colonies, took part.
No single culprit is responsible for all of the honey bee deaths, but their research shows mortality is much lower among beekeepers who carefully treat their hives to control a lethal parasite called the Varroa mite.
"If there is one thing beekeepers can do to help with this problem, it is to treat their bees for Varroa mites," said vanEngelsdorp. "If all beekeepers were to aggressively control mites, we would have many fewer losses."

Cont'd at link

Here is a link that might be useful: Bees and mites