Nosema

[Brian Bush]

I have just opened my hives for an inspection and addition of candipoll purchased yesterday.
I have lost 2 from 10. One blew over during the storms and I did not expect it to survive this long.
A second hive I have lost presumably to Nosema. Lots of bee droppings in hive on frames etc.
I intend to boil frames and flame out boxes before re-use.
Any other advice really welcome.
Ironically this hive did not take down any syrup during the autumn and therefore did not get their dose of vitagold which I believe inhibits nosema.

 

[Ruary]

.
I have lost 2 from 10. One blew over during the storms and I did not expect it to survive this long.
A second hive I have lost presumably to Nosema. Lots of bee droppings in hive on frames etc.
I intend to boil frames and flame out boxes before re-use.
Any other advice really welcome.

If you are sure that it was nosema that was the cause of death, then there is no need to boil frames and scorch hive bodies. Fumigation for a fortnight with 80% Acetic acid will destroy nosema spores.
Ruary

 

[itma]

If you have an association microscopist, gather a sample of the dead bees (at least 30, but more means spares), and ideally refrigerate (or freeze) them until you can get them examined. A small "click-lok" or tupperware box is ideal.
Nosema spores stay 'infectious' for at least 6 months, so some recently dead (and not too decomposed) bodies should still allow for verification.

For general hygiene, I'd steam clean the bee-poo off (potentially scrapping some combs for later solar extraction) before fumigating against disease with Acetic as Ruary suggests.

 

[Skyhook]

Not ironic at all, quite possibly the reason why this one succumbed. I feed thymolised syrup as a protectant, but it does rely on them taking it which can be a problem if there is a good late flow.