Northern Ont. beekeeper advising others to have colonies tested for chemicals
A northern Ontario beekeeper is sounding the alarm after discovering most of her bees had died earlier this year.
A northern Ontario beekeeper is sounding the alarm after discovering most of her bees had died earlier this year. Janice Mitchell discovered she had lost thousands of bees across 15 colonies in February 2024. Mitchell shows some of the losses in April 2024. (Ian Campbell/CTV News Northern Ontario)
Janice Mitchell is a veterinarian by trade and so she decided to send some of the deceased bees away for testing.
The beekeeper was surprised to learn most of those tested had high levels of glyphosate, a toxic herbicide found in products like RoundUp.
CTV News staff walked toured Mitchell’s backyard in Tehkummah Township on Manitoulin Island earlier this month.
She said the constant soothing hum she would hear in her ears when outside has gone silent these days.
"It was in February when I discovered the majority of my bees at the farm property that we're at here had succumbed and that's what I needed to find out," said Mitchell.
Thousands of bees across 15 colonies had died and she immediately got to work to find answers.
Surprising results
According to the lab where Mitchell sent her bees – including the queen – the specimens contained 0.57ppm of glyphosate.
Health Canada guidelines say the maximum acceptable concentration for a human in a glass of drinking water is 0.28ppm and these bees contained twice that level.
A graphic to explain the conversion of Health Canada's maximum acceptable concentration of glyphosate into parts per million (ppm) to compare with the concentrations Janice Mitchell say the lab told her was found in her dead bees. (CTV News Northern Ontario)
Mitchell said the result came as a surprise.
"It wasn't the fact that... I'm not going to get any honey, it's the fact that what's the bigger implication,” she said.
“I am studying these bees but what about the natural – the wild pollinators, the wild bees, what about the water runoff in our Blue Jay Creek, the Manitou, all our water sources, what about the birds that eat these bugs … It's just it's the bottom. I think it's the canary in the coal mine."
Mitchell has forwarded her findings to other researchers including the Ontario Beekeepers' Association.
The environment needs healthy bees
In this May 21, 2008 file photo, honey bees sit on a honeycomb. (Heribert Proepper/AP Photo)
Officials with the Beekeepers' Association said ensuring healthy bee environments is part of their strategic plan.
"Our goal is to ensure that we have healthy bees, healthy bee environments and a prosperous beekeeping industry and businesses in the province,” said Ian Grant, the association’s president.
“So we're always concerned anytime any beekeeper loses a hive.”
Grant said he could not comment on Mitchel’s situation at this time because he has not yet seen the test results.
Changes to the area’s environment may be a factor
Mitchell said more for-profit farming operations have gone up recently around her property replacing what was previously pasture land.
"I have this farm here with flowering bushes and shrubs and I need them for pollination,” she said.
Mitchell added she hopes one day she will be able to rebuild but for the time being she is still processing her loss.
“I have to do some thinking definitely but, I haven't given up yet," she said.
In the meantime, Mitchell is encouraging other beekeepers to consider testing their colonies for chemicals such as glyphosate.
Veterinarian and beekeeper Janice Mitchell told CTV News in April 2024 that she hopes to one day rebuild her bee colonies after discovering she has lost thousand of bees in back February 2024. (Ian Campbell/CTV News Northern Ontario)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More Canadians only making minimum payment on credit cards: TransUnion
Some Canadians are seeing their credit card balances grow as the cost-of-living crisis and higher interest rates eat into household budgets, a new report shows.
Tornado touches down west of the Island of Montreal
Emergency services in the town of Rigaud, Que. are investigating after a tornado touched down shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
Tanks reach Rafah's centre as Israel presses assault despite global scrutiny
Israeli tanks reached the centre of Rafah for the first time on Tuesday, witnesses said, three weeks into a ground operation in the southern Gaza city that has sparked global condemnation.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
Arm of mummy came off after mishandling by museum staff: Mexican government
Mexico's federal archaeology agency on Monday accused the conservative-governed city of Guanajuato of mistreating one of the country’s famous mummified 19th century bodies.
Five of Ontario's top 10 worst roads are located in the Toronto area
A new pothole-riddled street in Hamilton has taken the top spot for the worst road in Ontario, according to a new list released by the Canadian Automotive Association (CAA) on Tuesday.
DEVELOPING In Trump's hush money trial, prosecutors and defence lawyers are poised to make final pitch to jury
Prosecutors and defence lawyers in Donald Trump's hush money trial are set to deliver closing arguments to the jury Tuesday, each side looking to score final points with the panel before it starts deliberating the fate of the first former American president to be charged with felony crimes.
Red Lobster in Ontario court to discuss U.S. bankruptcy case, Canadian assets: docs
A lawyer for Red Lobster Canada, Inc. says he will ask an Ontario court today to recognize and enforce the chain’s U.S. bankruptcy protection proceedings, a process which documents show could include selling Canadian assets.