DWB bee outside hive - is a small number normal?

[Robbo8916]

Hello again,

When I went to have a quick look from outside at the girs yesterday I noticed one on the floor around 5 metres from the hive with the typical shrivelled wings. They were treated three times in April for varroa and upon last quick look through hive I didn't spot any bees like this.

Is it normal to find the odd one or two bees in a hive with this seeing as varroa is present in every colony these days?

That was the only bee I have seen like this.

(Sorry meant to say DWV, I'm tired lol)

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

DWV is latent in colonies - it is usually managed by the bees, unless of course they are weakened by other problems - varroa doesn't cause DWV it just weakens the colony so it can't manage it.
So you will see the odd deformed bee even in a strong and hale colony.

 

[Eyeman]

I noticed one on the floor around 5 metres from the hive with the typical shrivelled wings.

Sounds like the colony is doing just fine by carrying off those bee showing sings of the virus.
I would start to worry if I'm seeing many bees with DWV crawling around inside the hive.

 

[Robbo8916]

Sounds like the colony is doing just fine by carrying off those bee showing sings of the virus.
I would start to worry if I'm seeing many bees with DWV crawling around inside the hive.

I have very hygienic bees. In fact the second bee out of the hive when we opened them up after the move brought a dead body straight out. This bee was alive and crawling around on the floor, i dispatched her as I felt bad for her.

Its not a very nice thing to see but it is a strong and healthy colony with a massive and vigorous queen. She is absolutely huge!

Just wondered, thanks for the replies

 

[BeeJayBee]

Is it normal to find the odd one or two bees in a hive with this seeing as varroa is present in every colony these days?

No, it isn't normal to find DWV in a new colony that you've just bought.

Check out the NBU Best Practice Guideline No. 8 - Sale of Honeybee Nuclei

pdf http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/downloadDocument.cfm?id=630
web http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/index.cfm?pageid=167

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Hello again,

When I went to have a quick look from outside at the girs yesterday I noticed one on the floor around 5 metres from the hive with the typical shrivelled wings. They were treated three times in April for varroa and upon last quick look through hive I didn't spot any bees like this.

Is it normal to find the odd one or two bees in a hive with this seeing as varroa is present in every colony these days?

That was the only bee I have seen like this.

(Sorry meant to say DWV, I'm tired lol)

One or two on their own doesn't necessarily indicate a problem, however you should be alert to more being dumped outside and during inspection take care to look out for more. You can then judge if further action is required.