Possible Nosema

[dpearce4]

hiya

i have a suspicion that one of my hives has Nosema.

There is quite a large amount of bee poo on the landing area, although not on the front of the hive. Could it be that they were just 2 desperate to go before taking off?

if i am right and it is nosema what would be the best thing to do? leave until spring and treat then? or is there some sort of treatment i could do now?

also is there a way to work out if they are with out a microscope as i dont have one?

 

[Nic Rhodes]

someone in your association will be able to help. If not PM.

treat with FumidilB asap, nosema effected colonies don't like taking medicine however so may have to drissle or spray the bees with sugar syrup with Fumidl B.

I use Thymol syrup as 'routine' but treat with Fumidl B on positive analysis. Nosema is often forgotten as a 'baddie' but I think we loose more to Nosema than Varroa Nosema is too often forgotten in the Varroa era.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Nosema is often forgotten as a 'baddie' but I think we loose more to Nosema than Varroa Nosema is too often forgotten in the Varroa era.

Completely agree with you Nic.

 

[Ruary]

hiya

also is there a way to work out if they are with out a microscope as i dont have one?

Take a suspect bee and grasping the tip of the abdomen pull it away from the thorax. This should separate exposing the digestive tract. If this is swolen and white Nosema is positive. The usual colour is reddish.
A microscope is the best as the above is only a field check and is NOT accurate.
Ruary