> I came across data from the late 1980s, early 90s saying that annual colony losses had climbed as high as 39%.

I learned how to divide hives from beekeepers who sustained losses up to 50% annually. The remaining hives were split in two or more in the spring. 

These weren't winter losses, by the way. These losses were incurred during the summer flow on irrigated alfalfa. With temperatures frequently at 120F and widespread use of pesticides, the hives were wrecked by fall. 

But a couple of months in natural areas along the coast, building up on the variety of native and imported plants, the hives looked great by April and usually made honey from sage or orange.

Pete

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