A bad news has emerged again for beekeepers as a beekeeper Dave Schuit has estimated deaths of 1.3 million bees in his yard north of Hanover in the past 24 hours. According to Schuit, it seemed like the bees have been poisoned. He said to have seen this in the past too.

Schuit of Saugeen Country Honey said that it is in the soil. Neonicotinoids are destructive for bees, even in small amounts. They are widely used to protect corn, soy and wheat seed. The pesticide is known to be water-soluble and remain in the environment for several years.

A ban was recently announced on the use of Neonicotinoids in Europe. According to the Ontario Bee Keepers Association, the cases of acute poisonings are on rise this summer. The association added that the total number of incidents is expected to surpass last year's figure of 240.

Samples have been collected by inspectors from the Ministry of Agriculture today to determine whether it is pesticide behind the killings of bees or something else.

Gerald Poechman, a farmer, said, "When I see dead canaries in the mine I know there is a problem, when I see dead bees I know there is a bigger problem".