Beekeepers from across the United States are transporting billions of honey bees to California to be leased to almond growers who need the insects to pollinate the state's most prized food. Against this backdrop, hive thefts have become so common that beekeepers are now turning to GPS tracking devices, surveillance cameras and other anti-theft technologies to protect their precious bee colonies.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of beehives worth hundreds of thousands of dollars have been stolen from orchards across the state in the past few weeks, according to authorities. In the biggest heist, 384 beehives were stolen from a field in Mendocino County, prompting the state's beekeepers' association to offer a $10,000 reward for information to help find them, the Associated Press reported.

This year, beekeepers have begun putting GPS trackers into their hives using tech startup Bee Hero. They also tie ropes with locks to them and install surveillance cameras nearby. Some beekeepers mark hives with SmartWater CSI, a forensic tool that helps police track down stolen property. The clear liquid is only visible under ultraviolet light, even through layers of paint, so police can identify thieves trying to sell beehives on the side. Note that this year the cost of renting one beehive has increased to $230.

bbabo.Net