A small parasitic mite and an extremely harsh winter are blamed for honey bee colony losses in Ontario.

Both "Innisfil Creek Honey" in "Cookstown" and "Adam's Honey" are experiencing a higher than usual wave of bee deaths in their hives.

Bryan Scott of "Innisfil Creek Honey Beekeeping Supplies" said he lost about 40 percent of his bees, while the annual mortality rate of about eight percent is average. However, he said the Canadian average loss this year is 80 percent nationwide.

At the Ontario Beekeepers' Association, General Manager Melanie Kimpers said honey bee losses in Ontario are much higher than what is considered normal for the industry.

"Currently, according to beekeeper reports, the average losses in Ontario are 52 percent. Some areas are experiencing higher losses, such as Niagara, Northwest Ontario, and Central Ontario, but losses are significant across all areas.

Kimpers said, "These large losses seem not to be limited to Ontario but are occurring in many provinces across Canada."

Melanie also said that the loss of pollination for a variety of fruits, vegetables, and crops in the province would be detrimental to the yield and quality of plants that require pollination.

While Kimpers cannot pinpoint the cause of the losses, she said beekeepers have to contend with pests and diseases. Although parasites have been devastating hives since the mid-1980s, the harsh winter and cold spring created an environment where honey bees struggled to survive.