Mount St. Helens: Ash, Bees, and a Halted Nectar Flow

May 18, 1980

Dearest reader,

On this somber day, we reflect on the catastrophic eruption of Mount St. Helens, an event that not only reshaped the landscape but also profoundly impacted the delicate lives of bees in the surrounding regions.

This eruption triggered the largest landslide ever recorded, and its effects rippled far beyond the immediate devastation.

The Honey Market News poignantly reported on the toll taken on honeybees and apiaries, revealing that “the true impact on honeybees from volcanic ash fallout will take a long time to assess.”

In the Columbia Basin alone, bees perished within hours after ash began to fall on May 18. A second eruption on May 25 brought further stress to hives in Southwestern Washington, leading to brood being expelled and the loss of colonies, especially those with newly introduced queens just days before.

Bees in Central Washington endured a harrowing few days, taking three to four days to either die or remove brood from their hives. The volcanic ash wreaked havoc by entering their respiratory systems, leading to suffocation, and by its abrasive nature, damaging their bodies internally, causing dehydration and death. Early estimates suggested some 12,000 colonies were affected—a devastating blow to local beekeepers.

In response, beekeepers moved colonies out of ash fallout zones when possible, while growers and apiarists worked collaboratively to ensure pollination for vital seed crops in the Columbia Basin. Yet nature’s rhythms were disrupted: nectar flow ceased, forcing heavy syrup feeding to sustain the colonies.

Intriguingly, bees refused to forage on anything dusted with ash but would venture to blossoms that opened after May 19, showing an incredible resilience and adaptability amid the disaster. However, beeswax became unusable due to abrasive ash residue that could not be cleaned away.

So, dear gardener, what lessons might this catastrophic event impart about nature’s fragility and resilience?

How do we balance human reliance on pollinators with respect for the natural world’s unpredictable forces?

The Mount St. Helens eruption serves as a harsh reminder to nurture and protect the tiny architects of our flourishing gardens—the bees whose quiet labor sustains our blooms and harvests alike.

Here's a detailed account of the damage from The Honey Market News:

The true impact on honeybees from volcanic ash fallout will take a long time to assess...
The Columbia Basin bees died within hours of ash fallout from the St. Helens' eruption on May 18.

The second eruption on May 25 caused great stress in the hives in Southwestern Washington. Brood was pushed out, and colonies with new queens introduced 1-2 days prior to the eruptions were killed.

Central Washington bees took 3-4 days to die or remove brood from the hives. Bees were affected by ash collecting in the respiratory system, resulting in suffocation or the abrasive action on the body and internal organs, causing loss of moisture and eventual death. Early estimates indicate approximately 12,000 colonies have been affected.

Beekeepers were moving colonies out of ash fallout areas. Growers and beekeepers were discussing the availability of bees to pollinate seed crops in the Columbia Basin. Nectar flow had stopped, and heavy syrup feeding was underway.

Beeswax cannot be used... because of the abrasive ash residue that can't be removed.

...Bees avoided foraging on anything that was covered by ash fallout. Yet they would go to blossom that had opened since May 19.

Demand was good, and the market was firm.

A reminder that gardens depend on wings as well as roots—and that recovery takes both time and bloom.