Beekeepers across Ontario are experiencing colony losses not seen for a long time, the head of an industry association has said.
Bernie Wiehle, the president of the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association, said a recent survey put out to its members found an average bee loss of about 40 per cent this year.
“There is quite a wide range of beekeepers that are at minimal losses to some that have almost been wiped out,” he said.
Widespread bee deaths across the province, and Canada, have been uncommon in recent years, Wiehle said.
He said he considers himself one of the lucky ones at his own honey bee farm in Rodney, though his losses are still higher than his own average.
“If my losses don’t get any greater, I can manage with what I have, but … we’ve had beekeepers that once you get past a certain point, it is very, very difficult to rebuild,” he said.
The cause of bee deaths this year isn’t fully known, Wiehle said. Likely factors are cooler weather into spring and the varroa mite, which feeds on honey bees.
However, Wiehle said the industry isn’t sure why the varroa mite would be so destructive this year.
“We’ve been able to control it and keep things going quite well up until this past year,” he said, noting beekeepers have a range of chemicals available to them.
“We’re not sure if our recommendations are out of date and need updating. We’re not sure if the products we’re using are as effective, and timing is critical on this. We’re not sure if the weather has been a factor in that.”
Wiehle said the biggest impact from this issue could be its effect on food supply. Beekeepers supply bees for fruit tree pollination in Ontario. Bees also pollinate some vegetables, such as squash, pumpkin and canola.
Later on in the year, Ontario beekeepers will send bees to eastern Quebec and New Brunswick to assist with pollination for blueberry production, Wiehle said.
“If we don’t get this under control, if we don’t make up our losses this spring, we may have an issue with less Ontario-grown fruits and vegetables,” he said.
There is potential for more losses, he said, because of fluctuating temperatures.
Wiehle said he met with provincial officials on April 27. While he said he doesn’t want to reveal the details of the meeting, he said the industry is asking for “short-term, immediate help to get beekeepers back on their feet” and help to “get a handle on this problem.”