- Joined
- May 12, 2009
- Messages
- 1,763
- Reaction score
- 34
- Location
- North Wilts
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- Lots and lots
Hi Guys
I keep bees in four locations, three of which are at the opposite ends of the same farm.
One of the locations is having a particular symptom that is different to the other locations.
This particular location is based in a marshy area with tall grass in the corner of a very large field. the area is about 100m x 50m and the hives are spread quite a way apart.
The hives are sat and tied down to paving slabs, so the stands do not get their feet wet.
The hives are three 14x12's and one national. two of the hives are\were very strong and the other are two not huge, but not small either. All are still buzzing.
My daughter and I went around for a heft at the weekend, but found all of the hives in this particular location was strewn with body parts with what looks like white\grey poo (??) about 6mm long (which can be seen in the photo). all have mouseguards.
One of the hives sounded quite agitated is we went up to it, but it was a warm (ish) day and the grass breaks quite loudly so sneaking up on hives is difficult.
Unfortunately out of many photo's taken, only one came out good enough to use. if need be i'll go up with the camera later and take more today.
View attachment 3005
I have another area about 1/2 mile away on the same farm, also bordering a marshy area and in similar conditions that only has buscuit crumbs under the hive with no\few dead bees.
what I don't know is whether the poo is caused by whatever is happening to the bees, or whether it is caused by whatever is eating the body parts or buscuit crumbs.
I can see no damage to the hives.
Any ideas what it could be??
Cheers
Pete
I keep bees in four locations, three of which are at the opposite ends of the same farm.
One of the locations is having a particular symptom that is different to the other locations.
This particular location is based in a marshy area with tall grass in the corner of a very large field. the area is about 100m x 50m and the hives are spread quite a way apart.
The hives are sat and tied down to paving slabs, so the stands do not get their feet wet.
The hives are three 14x12's and one national. two of the hives are\were very strong and the other are two not huge, but not small either. All are still buzzing.
My daughter and I went around for a heft at the weekend, but found all of the hives in this particular location was strewn with body parts with what looks like white\grey poo (??) about 6mm long (which can be seen in the photo). all have mouseguards.
One of the hives sounded quite agitated is we went up to it, but it was a warm (ish) day and the grass breaks quite loudly so sneaking up on hives is difficult.
Unfortunately out of many photo's taken, only one came out good enough to use. if need be i'll go up with the camera later and take more today.
View attachment 3005
I have another area about 1/2 mile away on the same farm, also bordering a marshy area and in similar conditions that only has buscuit crumbs under the hive with no\few dead bees.
what I don't know is whether the poo is caused by whatever is happening to the bees, or whether it is caused by whatever is eating the body parts or buscuit crumbs.
I can see no damage to the hives.
Any ideas what it could be??
Cheers
Pete