Honey Bee Thieves Threaten California Almond Crops

A bee detective hunts the culprits stealing hives across the state

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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As bee populations decline due to disease, thieves are stealing honey bee colonies from farms across California, threatening the state's $5.6 billion almond industry. Private investigator Rocky Pipkin is working with the California State Beekeepers Association to track down the thieves, who are stealing hundreds of hives to either rent out or sell. Pipkin estimates around 500 hives have been stolen so far this year, with the number expected to rise.

Why it matters

The theft of honey bee colonies is a major threat to California's almond industry, which relies on bees to pollinate hundreds of thousands of almond trees. Without enough bees, growers could see significantly lower almond yields. The thefts are driven by a shortage of bees nationwide, with about 60% of colonies killed by the varroa mite.

The details

Bee thieves are using various tactics to steal the hives, including removing any identifying markings or air tags so the boxes can't be traced. The thieves come from all walks of life, from unscrupulous beekeepers to former workers looking to make quick money. Recently, a 47-year-old Sacramento man was arrested for stealing 172 beehives from Merced County, though 120 of the hives were recovered.

  • In 2026, about 500 hive thefts have been reported so far.
  • In 2025, around an equal number of hives were stolen.

The players

Rocky Pipkin

A private investigator working with the California State Beekeepers Association to track down honey bee thieves.

Ryan Burris

The president of the California State Beekeepers Association.

California State Beekeepers Association

An organization working to prevent bee theft and support the state's beekeepers.

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What they’re saying

“This is what we deal with every year. And it continues to happen.”

— Ryan Burris, President, California State Beekeepers Association (modbee.com)

“There was a guy in Madera, a real ne'er-do-well, who was getting pretty good at stealing hives.”

— Rocky Pipkin, Private Investigator (modbee.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case of the 47-year-old Sacramento man arrested for stealing 172 beehives will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

The theft of honey bee colonies is a growing problem in California, threatening the state's vital almond industry. Investigators and beekeepers are working to combat the thefts, but the shortage of bees nationwide is driving more criminals to target this valuable resource.