YUBA CITY, Calif. — Mike Potts, the beekeeper and owner of Oregon-based Pottsy’s Pollination and Honey Farm, said he walked onto his orchard field on Friday and saw pallets of beehives scattered all over the place.
Potts said 92 beehives were stolen from his Yuba City field sometime between Thursday night or Friday morning. His theory? The beehives were stolen by other beekeepers, possibly someone living in Sutter County.
"It's probably a beekeeper who had had colony collapse disorder or some other disease that has killed his hives, and he’s using these to replenish his hives,” Potts explained.
The Sutter County Sheriff's Office is investigating the apparent theft.
Potts said he lost about $44,000 in revenue when his beehive pallets were hauled away in what he thinks were multiple trips using a flatbed.
This is not the first time a beekeeper has had their work stolen from them in the area. Two years ago, Potts said over 400 beehives were stolen from a nearby beekeeper.
"Usually [thieves] wait until a little bit closer to almond pollination," Potts said.
The hives are used to pollinate almond orchards, Potts said.
California produced over two billion pounds of Almonds in 2019. In 1986 production was only at 250 million, according to the US Department of Agriculture 2019 California Almond Objective Measurement Report,
Potts thinks the price of almond pollination is the reason for the thefts.
"Losing a quarter of your business, I think, anyone can relate," Potts said. "It’s definitely a bit hit in the pocket."
Potts said his beehive pallets are a light gray color and have an MP-branded logo on the lid and on the side of the box. The Sutter County Sheriff's Department says thieves will normally sell bees online outside the state.
If you know anything about this case, you’re asked to call the Sutter County sheriff’s office at 530-822-7307.
Follow the conversation on Facebook with Mayde Gomez.
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