Illinois Beekeepers Hit Hard By Winter Weather

(Undated) -- There could be a shortage of honey in Illinois this year, thanks to the harsh winter that just passed. Corky Schnadt with the Illinois Beekeepers Association, says beekeepers are working hard to replace the hives they lost, especially those in northern Illinois. But it won't just mean a honey shortage. Bees help pollinate special crops like apple trees, pumpkins, and raspberry bushes. Those crops could feel the impact of the bee shortage by the time harvest season comes around. Schnadt says beekeepers are also having a problem with small mites this year, along with herbicides and pesticides, which all impact production.