Bee season starts 17 days early, potentially damaging hives, experts say

By: Kadin Luhmann

Outlets: Iowa Capital Dispatch

Published: May 20, 2026

Words: 992

Last Updated: 2 months ago

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On World Bee Day, experts say an unusually early North American bee swarm season, which began 17 days earlier than last year following record heatwaves in 2026, could reshape bee populations, pollination patterns, honey production and the timing of seasonal ecosystems.

While bee swarming is a natural reproductive process in which bee colonies split and form new groups, researchers and beekeepers say that early activity may be connected to broad environmental changes linked to …

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