Hi from Manchester

[TonyH100]

I collected a swarm mid summer. Not a large one but was doing ok. Fondant over holes in crown. Coming into winter high Varroa count. Too cold to move to a nuc. Did OA drip. Lots of dead bees. Nothing happening for a few weeks. had a look no activity, all dead. Looks like a combination of everything possible. Varroa, nosema, dysentery, covid, black bees- cold!, White specs varroa poo!, Furry edges, robbing! etc. I would be grateful if someone could give an analyses of some photos please. Thank you in advance.

 

[Swarm]

Sad sight, Tony. Well fed but not treated for varroa in the Autumn. What you are scooping out is bee bread, pollen/nectar. Last but one photo is mould.
Fouling in the hive could just be a sign of weakness as they died off. Get about thirty bees and take a look if you have or know someone with a microscope. If you can rule out nosema, you can clean up and re use the comb. A warm bath and light hosing will do a good job.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Agree with Steve. The poo is just what a small colony not getting out does. I have lost a small cut out that did the same.
Varroa likely did them in.
It happens.

 

[TonyH100]

Sad sight, Tony. Well fed but not treated for varroa in the Autumn. What you are scooping out is bee bread, pollen/nectar. Last but one photo is mould.
Fouling in the hive could just be a sign of weakness as they died off. Get about thirty bees and take a look if you have or know someone with a microscope. If you can rule out nosema, you can clean up and re use the comb. A warm bath and light hosing will do a good job.

Thank you very much for getting back to me, really appreciate your help. I will try to find someone with a microscope and do the nosema test, if I can. Again, many thanks.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Thank you very much for getting back to me, really appreciate your help. I will try to find someone with a microscope and do the nosema test, if I can. Again, many thanks.

An el cheapo microscope with 500x magnification can be found on selling sites such as eBay. I got one at a car boot some years ago complete with a few slides and cover glasses for ten pounds.

 

[TonyH100]

Just ordered one on eBay like you said, see how it goes. Hopefully not Nosema.cheers

 

[Erichalfbee]

Just ordered one on eBay like you said, see how it goes. Hopefully not Nosema.cheers

Try Randy Oliver's Quick Squash method. Much easier than making a bee soup.
QUICK SQUASH

 

[TonyH100]

Hi thanks for that, needs a big of study. Microscope won’t arrive till Sat, hopefully!
I guess I just need to discover Nosema and that will be that. Treat the hive accordingly. But I really hope it isn’t.

Cheers