TOMI Environmental Solutions Demonstrates SteraMist Efficacy in Combatting Honeybee Colony Collapse

Rhea-AI Summary

TOMI Environmental Solutions (NASDAQ: TOMZ) has demonstrated significant progress in addressing honeybee colony collapse through its SteraMist technology. A USDA study published on June 2, 2025, showed that SteraMist's ionized hydrogen peroxide effectively inactivates Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), a major cause of colony loss. This breakthrough comes as commercial beekeepers report up to 60% colony losses in early 2025, representing a $600 million economic impact. The solution targets DWV strains A and B, which are spread by miticide-resistant Varroa destructor mites. The development is crucial for protecting honeybees, which contribute $20-30 billion annually to the U.S. agricultural economy and $387 billion globally. TOMI's non-toxic approach offers beekeepers a practical tool to protect colonies and safeguard global food security.

Positive

• SteraMist technology proven effective in inactivating Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), a major cause of bee colony collapse
• Solution addresses a $600 million economic impact problem in the beekeeping industry
• Technology targets a crucial agricultural sector worth $20-30 billion annually in the US
• Non-toxic and practical approach to protecting bee populations

Negative

• Technology still needs to be scaled and implemented across the beekeeping industry
• Solution addresses virus but may not completely solve the broader Varroa mite resistance issue
• Economic viability and implementation costs for beekeepers not yet disclosed

Insights

Agricultural Technology Analyst

TOMI's SteraMist proven effective against honeybee colony collapse virus, opening significant agricultural market opportunities worth billions.

TOMI Environmental Solutions has achieved a significant scientific breakthrough with their SteraMist technology, demonstrating efficacy against the Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) that's devastating honeybee populations. This validation comes from a collaborative USDA study published June 2, 2025, showing SteraMist's ionized hydrogen peroxide can effectively inactivate the primary virus driving colony collapse.

The timing couldn't be more critical. Commercial beekeepers have reported up to $600 million in economic losses from colony collapses in early 2025 alone. With honeybees contributing $20-30 billion annually to US agriculture and $387 billion globally, this represents a substantial market opportunity.

What makes this development particularly valuable is that SteraMist offers a non-toxic solution to a complex environmental challenge. Unlike traditional miticides that face resistance issues, SteraMist attacks the virus directly. The technology's validation by the USDA gives it immediate credibility in the agricultural sector.

This breakthrough positions TOMI to expand beyond its traditional disinfection markets into agricultural biosecurity – a sector with immense growth potential given the existential threat to global food security posed by pollinator decline. The company appears poised to convert scientific validation into commercial applications by engaging with master beekeepers and agricultural stakeholders seeking scalable solutions to this urgent ecological and economic crisis.

FREDERICK, Md., June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TOMI Environmental Solutions, Inc.® (“TOMI”) (NASDAQ: TOMZ), a global company specializing in disinfection and decontamination solutions, today announced significant advancements in the fight against the devastating honeybee colony collapse.

In a collaborative study published on June 2, 2025, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), SteraMist® ionized hydrogen peroxide (iHP) was shown to significantly inactivate Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), a primary driver of colony loss, particularly DWV strains A and B. The paper, “Deformed wing virus of honeybees is inactivated by cold plasma ionized hydrogen peroxide,” highlights SteraMist’s unique ability to reduce overt viral infection in hive substrates, offering a practical and non-toxic approach to protecting bee populations.

“Pollinators are essential to the strength and sustainability of our nation’s food supply,” said Acting ARS Administrator Joon Park. “USDA scientists are actively advancing research into the major stressors affecting honeybee colonies, including new strategies to combat parasitic mites like Varroa, which remain a significant challenge to agricultural health. TOMI’s SteraMist technology has demonstrated meaningful potential in this fight by effectively inactivating the Deformed Wing Virus, offering a promising tool to help protect honeybee populations.”

This scientific validation comes at a critical time. Commercial beekeepers across the U.S. have reported colony losses of up to 60% in early 2025 alone, representing an estimated $600 million in economic impact. DWV, largely spread by miticide-resistant Varroa destructor mites, has emerged as the leading cause of these collapses. On June 2, 2025, the USDA confirmed that viruses spread by these mites are the primary cause of the crisis.

Honeybees are essential pollinators, contributing $20–30 billion annually to the U.S. agricultural economy and $387 billion globally. The USDA and industry stakeholders continue to search for scalable, effective tools to mitigate this crisis. With SteraMist, TOMI is now positioned to play a key role in protecting global food security through environmental biosecurity.

"The economic and ecological impact of honeybee colony collapse cannot be overstated," said Dr. Halden Shane, CEO of TOMI Environmental Solutions. "We are immensely proud that SteraMist offers a proven, effective, and nontoxic solution to provide beekeepers with a powerful disinfection to safeguard their colonies and, by extension, our global food supply. We continue to advance our research and extend our outreach to master beekeepers.”

For additional information, please visit http://www.steramist.com or contact us at info@tomimist.com

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections of future performance based on management’s judgment, beliefs, current trends, and anticipated product performance. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to TOMI’s products to serve agriculture sectors. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, our ability to maintain and manage growth and generate sales, our reliance on a single or a few products for a majority of revenues; the general business and economic conditions; and other risks as described in our SEC filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 filed by us with the SEC and other periodic reports we filed with the SEC. The information provided in this document is based upon the facts and circumstances known at this time. Other unknown or unpredictable factors or underlying assumptions subsequently proving to be incorrect could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance, or achievements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All information provided in this press release is as of today’s date, unless otherwise stated, and we undertake no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
John Nesbett/Rosalyn Christian
IMS Investor Relations
tomi@imsinvestorrelations.com

FAQ

What is TOMI's SteraMist solution for bee colony collapse?

SteraMist is an ionized hydrogen peroxide technology that effectively inactivates Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), a primary cause of honeybee colony collapse, particularly targeting DWV strains A and B.

How significant is the bee colony collapse problem that TOMZ is addressing?

Commercial beekeepers reported up to 60% colony losses in early 2025, causing an estimated $600 million in economic impact, with honeybees contributing $20-30 billion annually to the U.S. agricultural economy.

When did the USDA validate TOMI's SteraMist technology for bee colonies?

The USDA published a collaborative study on June 2, 2025, validating SteraMist's effectiveness in inactivating Deformed Wing Virus in honeybee colonies.

What makes TOMZ's SteraMist solution unique for beekeepers?

SteraMist offers a practical and non-toxic approach to protecting bee populations by effectively inactivating the Deformed Wing Virus while being safe for hive substrates.

How does TOMI's solution impact the global agricultural economy?

By protecting honeybees, which contribute $387 billion globally to agriculture through pollination, TOMI's solution helps safeguard global food security and agricultural productivity.