dead and dying bees by entrance - any ideas?

[Storm™]

Just read how to identify using Gavins linky http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/acarine_diagnosis.html

It refers to staining as the preferred method of DIY diagnosis. Not that complicated.

The "aqueous methylene blue solution" is I think engineers blue - readily available. And the other substance is just salt. Or you can get this from pet shops (used to use it for my fish tanks) same stuff for rough DIY diagnosis of the mites visually.

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=1332&pf_id=51160&co=fr £2.39 atm

And I would imagine you can get this stuff from beekeeping suppliers as well????

Hope that helps. I like the idea idea of being able to check quickly using older bees as they will probably show up faster and in greater concentrations and therefore easire to spot instead of worrying.

 

[gavin]

I would just follow the part headed 'Dissection to expose .... '.

No staining needed.

G.

 

[Busy Bee]

This mite sound strange but have you checked for stores those bees could be starving and in dire need of feeding. You said you are new to this so I would check for stores first to see how much they have.

Did you feed them much since you got them as it has'nt been great for forage except for the usual ivy run...


Regards


Busy Bee