The California almond blossom in February is the largest pollination migration event in the world and sends orchards buzzing.

In 2024, beekeepers from throughout the U.S. brought 1.8 million colonies to cover more than 1 million acres, according to USDA data. Farmers pay up to $225 per hive to have their trees pollinated.

The chaos presents opportunities for thieves, said Ryan Burris, California State Beekeepers Association president.

“People don’t pay attention to whose hives are whose, they are just sitting out in these orchards. If there’s no gate, it’s really easy to get in and out of some of these locations,” said Burris, a third-generation beekeeper and owner of Park Legacy Queens in Palo Cedro, Calif.

Every state experiences hive thefts, but the problem surges during almond bloom.

“What makes this appealing to thieves is they load up hives really quick, move them to an orchard and get a check,” Burris said.

Last year, California had a record 3,492 stolen colonies reported, representing a $1.2 million loss to beekeepers, according to CSBA data. Farmers also experienced the loss of pollination services.

Since 2013, there’s been an 87% increase in hive thefts, according to the California Rural Crime Prevention Task Force.

“In the last five years, it’s really ratcheted up,” Burris said. In some instances, crime rings used forklifts and flatbed trailers to nab bees at night.

With huge colony die-offs creating a shortage this year, hive thefts were expected to worsen.

So the beekeeping industry took action.

New program

A private detective agency specializing in agricultural crimes has helped California beekeepers halt hive thefts.

The CSBA partnered with the Pipkin Detective Agency, which donated 50 hours to investigate cases with the goal of securing convictions.

The Commercial Hive Theft Prevention Program, announced in February, is available for beekeepers who are paid, voting members of the CSBA at the time of the crime.

The Pipkin Detective Agency could wrap some cases with a bow for deputies and prosecutors, but efforts also serve as a deterrent, and hive thefts have dropped.

“We’re at about 800, which is less thefts than we were a year ago. We’re significantly down,” Burris said, Feb. 28.

“I’m hoping word is out that we’re being proactive about trying to find these thieves. I don’t think there’s that many of them,” he added.

Farming background

Burris said Pipkin investigators understand ag and are passionate about their niche segment.

Rocky Pipkin was raised on a farm in Orosi, Calif., in the Central Valley, growing row crops and raising cattle.

Besides farming, his family had another occupation in its blood. The Pipkin Detective Agency formed in 1917.

“I’ve never heard of anybody else in the nation that focuses on ag crimes. But we’re right in the breadbasket of the world. There are probably more ag crimes here than anywhere else in the country,” said Pipkin, the agency’s owner.

He views his business, which has about 30 employees, as an extension of the country mindset and neighbors watching out for each other.

Range of cases

Over the years, Pipkin has investigated everything from stolen almond shipments to bull semen thefts.

“You name it, anything that’s ag related, we usually have somebody that’s in our agency that is close to an expert or is an expert on what is stolen,” he said.

Pipkin said residents don’t realize the scale of agricultural thefts and how easily commodities can be resold.

“It’s not going to go away as the price of eating goes up,” he said.

Warning signs about surveillance and patrols are a regular part of Pipkin operations, so would-be criminals think twice about entering a field.

“I’m not trying to brag or anything, but we make it quite obvious to our adversaries that we kind of know what we’re doing,” Pipkin said.

High tech and old fashioned

Pipkin relies on a mix of “old-fashioned gum-shoeing” and new technology that’s made a huge difference for investigators. “In the old days 50 years ago, you didn’t have cameras on every corner,” Pipkin said.

Crooks can often be tracked long distances from the scene of a crime.

Motion-activated video cameras can be set up at high-theft locations to send alerts to smart phones.

The tiny devices can often pick up vehicle information, license plates and even the culprits’ faces.

From there, it’s a matter of “beating the pavement” and following leads.

Underfunded agencies

Local sheriff’s offices in California, like almost everywhere else in the nation, are underfunded and rightfully prioritize crimes against people, Burris said.

With farms, law enforcement typically triages livestock issues over insect thefts.

“In reality, this should be treated like stealing a cow,” Burris said.

The thefts are devastating to beekeepers because margins are tight, Pipkin said.

“You can make money in it, but it’s very labor intensive. Making sure your hives are healthy for the spring, moving them around, feeding them. There’s a lot that goes into it,” Pipkin said.

Other theft deterrents

The new program encourages beekeepers to take other steps to deter thefts and help prosecutions.

Those include marking hives with names and distinctive brands and using tracking devices such as air tags.

Some beekeepers are collaborating with farmers to pay for security staff to patrol orchards.

The CSBA website includes details on recent thefts that could help identify stolen hives and those involved.

The organization also offers a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of bee hive thieves.

Pipkin said the culmination of efforts leads to greater awareness and a “see something, say something” attitude that tends to spread.

Beekeepers usually are somewhat shy and don’t seek publicity.

“Even the most reclusive guy right now is speaking up,” Burris said.

“Especially with these hive losses, every hive is so important. You can’t even put a value on a live hive to a beekeeper right now,” Burris said.