In California last year, as much as half the bee population was severely weakened or killed, according to the American Beekeeping Federation.

The reasons behind the

shortages vary but mites, viruses and pesticides are the biggest culprits, say beekeeping experts. Coupled with a longer-than-normal rainy season this year, the bee shortage could spell

bad news for seasonal crops.

"Bees don't fly in the rain," explained John Rotteveel, a local almond grower. "The window of opportunity to pollinate the tree is very small.''

In ideal conditions, bees pollinate between three and four weeks starting in February. Rotteveel said that is usually plenty of time for complete pollination.

But this year, rains that stretched into March and April reduced the time for the bees to pollinate. When the bees can't pollinate all the trees, it reduces production for the growers, Rotteveel said.