08/25/2026
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Oregon has stopped bee deaths caused by pesticides.
A new report from Oregon State University found no documented pesticide-related bee deaths anywhere in the state since 2021, marking a major turnaround after a mass bee die-off in 2013 helped spark sweeping changes.
That incident led Oregon lawmakers to create a statewide pollinator task force and launch a long-term effort to better protect bees.
The state trained more than 12,000 landscapers, farmers, and pesticide applicators on how to use pesticides more safely around pollinators. Educational materials were also distributed to schools and homeowners, helping people create more bee-friendly gardens and landscapes.
Researchers simultaneously built the Oregon Bee Atlas, now the largest statewide inventory of bee species in the United States, documenting all 567 known bee species found in Oregon.
The atlas doesn't just identify bees. It recommends the best native plants for every county and gives communities practical guidance on creating habitats that support local pollinators.
According to Oregon State University, the combination of education, research, and better pesticide practices has resulted in no known pesticide-related bee deaths for five consecutive years.
Pollinators play a critical role in agriculture, helping fertilize many of the fruits, vegetables, nuts, and flowers people rely on every day.
Researchers say Oregon's experience shows that protecting bees doesn't necessarily require banning pesticides altogether. Instead, providing better information about when, where, and how to use them can dramatically reduce harm to pollinators while allowing farmers and landscapers to continue their work.
Learn more:
"Inaugural Oregon report details bee health progress." Oregon State University
