Heavy winter and spring rains have put a damper on commercial beekeepers' efforts to pollinate $3.5 billion worth of California crops. Hardest hit, so far, are almond growers, whose trees blossom from mid-February to mid-March, says Eric Mussen, a UC Davis Cooperative Extension entomologist and bee expert. "Because of the rains, the bees just haven't had much of a chance to get out of their boxes to pollinate the trees," Mussen says. He notes that the non-pareil variety, which comprises a majority of the state's almond acreage, bloomed a bit later this year, possibly improving its chances for pollination. Beekeepers also face the problem of moving bee boxes into water-logged orchards. Because of the muddy conditions, many beekeepers place their boxes around the perimeter of the orchard, resulting in less thorough pollination. Still at risk for spring rains are plums, prunes and cherry trees, Mussen says. Alfalfa, another crop requiring bee pollination, blooms in May and could also be damaged by late rains. The rains present a double whammy for growers, not only inhibiting pollination but also bringing excessive moisture that encourages fungal growth on orchard blossoms and root-rot in alfalfa fields.