Help please

[Galaxy55]

Had a phone call from a fellow beekeeper today explaining that he had about 300 bees dead at the front of his hive and possible faeces on the landing board. This indicates nosema but isn't this usually something that appears in the spring when the bees are coming out of winter not now.
Two weeks ago the bees were ejecting larvae and almost fully formed bees. We are going to inspect tomorrow but would appreciate any guidance as this is something I haven't come across before.

 

[nightshade]

I had traces splatterings of faeces ..no where as many as three hundred bees dead...but am just as inexperienced as you...about a month ago...

It was after they had been confined due bad weather..

I didn't open it due to weather...

Cleaned off faeces...raised nuc to let more air in and away from damp...cut back undergrowth...

Advised to try feeding thymol syrup...only treatment available...
...
Also worth checking whether the dead bees were definitely on one day or over a long period.

One piece of advice was that if hive was dead...seal it up well so that other bees can't rob...

Also check for deformed wing...shaking bees ...as a sign of anything else...

I swapped them to a polynuc a week later to try and avoid damp...didn't examine closely but top bars seemed clean of faeces...no bad smell...they are still flying...staining stopped..

However a couple of very small drops today...after a period of confinement again..

 

[madasafish]

Had a phone call from a fellow beekeeper today explaining that he had about 300 bees dead at the front of his hive and possible faeces on the landing board. This indicates nosema but isn't this usually something that appears in the spring when the bees are coming out of winter not now.
Two weeks ago the bees were ejecting larvae and almost fully formed bees. We are going to inspect tomorrow but would appreciate any guidance as this is something I haven't come across before.

Sounds like starvation? (ejection of larvae)

 

[SteveG]

for some reason I checked my screen bottom board few days ago and found 500+ dead bees. I'm a beginner so called my local Mentor. We took a quick look without full inspection. busy and heavy hive.
Advised not to carry out full inspection, will of course keep checking.
no signs of decease, wing damage etc.

 

[Uncle Betty]

...shaking bees ...as a sign of anything else...
.

What would this indicate ?

 

[Galaxy55]

Thanks for the replies - all that has been suggested are things I have thought of myself, have some thymol mixed up but doubt if the bees will take the syrup at this time of the year but will try - thanks again - will check again in the morning for any further suggestions before I have a look at the bees at 10.

 

[MerryBee]

for some reason I checked my screen bottom board few days ago and found 500+ dead bees. I'm a beginner so called my local Mentor. We took a quick look without full inspection. busy and heavy hive.
Advised not to carry out full inspection, will of course keep checking.
no signs of decease, wing damage etc.

I would have said 500 dead bees is an definite sign of decease.... or did you mean disease?

 

[Hivemaker.]

What would this indicate ?

Bees with paralyses shake a bit.

 

[Hivemaker.]

have some thymol mixed up but doubt if the bees will take the syrup at this time of the year but will try

I doubt it, and if they do it will likely cause dysentery, another spell of cold weather on the way.

 

[Uncle Betty]

Bees with paralyses shake a bit.

Thank you.

 

[Poly Hive]

There is a point in the year when all has been done and apart from putting on fondant that is is.

We are at that point.

PH

 

[wightbees]

If your really going to try thymol possible spray it over them as light sugar mix ,I would of thought they will clean it up straight away?