TRACHEAL MITE
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DISEASES

FOULBROOD
American
European
Oxytetracycline

NOSEMA
Fumagilin
 

OTHER

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American and European foulbrood are two most common honeybee diseases, and American foulbrood may be the worst and most dangerous.  Mostly because it is very contagious, and it can spread to other hives and other apiaries easily.  It can contamine equipment and hives.  It is caused by bacteria called Bacillus larvae. 

Usually, when in non friendly environment it can be found in a form of spores, which can last for decades, and when in this form it is very difficult to destroy it.  Then when moved to a friendly environment it can wake up and start spreading.  Only in this form it can be treated, meaning antibiotics can do nothing to spores. 

Prevention is done when there are occurrences of this disease in any neighbouring apiary or particular area.  But this may be the way to make resistant bacteria also.  You take action depending on the degree of infection. 

If disease is advanced, you should burn combs, frames and bees.  If not, you can move the bees into another clean hive and treat them with antibiotic.  It may be better not to risk it, but to get rid of the combs and bees completely.  You can reuse hive body and equipment but they must be thoroughly burned and cleaned. 

American foulbrood is the disease manifested on capped brood whereas European foulbrood is the disease of the open, uncapped brood.  Larvae are infested with food given to them by the bees.  Cappings are often sunken, reddish brown in colour and there may be small hole in the middle made by house bees.  Under the cap, dead brood becomes dark brown, sticky and elastic.  Opened cells smell like glue. Also irregular pattern of capped and uncapped cells can be noticed. 

Bees cannot clean the cells themselves because remains inside are in dense liquid form.  One of the reasons the disease won't stop by itself is that the bacteria which caused it remains present. 

One of the most important things to do is to check bees regularly so that you can make an early recognition.  If found anywhere close to you, you should check even more often.  American foulbrood can be treated with oxytetracycline or similar antibiotic. 

Bees and beekeeping - http://www.beekeepingstarter.com/american-foulbrood.html


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