Beekeepers are feeling the sting of bee thieves in a rash of hive heists being carried out in California. An inexplicable disease that causes bees to abandon their colonies has made hives an increasingly valuable and sought after commodity - subsequently making them a target of bee banditry.

Each year, thousands of beekeepers bring their hives to California to pollinate almond, blueberry and watermelon crops, but the bee shortage has spiked the price of renting a hive from $55 dollars four years ago to almost $200 now.

“Just from the buzz that’s out there, our detectives are thinking hive thefts are increasing,” said Bill Yoshimoto, project director for the Central Valley-based Agricultural Crime Technology Information and Operations Network. “If there’s even a further shortage because of bee thefts, that’s a problem for everyone.”

Although the thefts haven’t affected these agricultural industries yet, they’ve set back beekeepers in California as much as $330,000 for the cost of new hives, bees, and lost profits. Californian beekeepers aren’t the only ones feeling the sting. Almost 200 hives were reported stolen in Florida last year.

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