Whats going on!!!

[steve56616]

One of my hives has bees everywhere. All over the front, and on the floor. The ones on the floor many can't seem to fly and rolling around. I know they aren't about to swarm as the swarm cells were only empty play cups on Saturday.
Maybe it's because the weather has been so bad they all rushed out as the sun made a 5 second appearance although back to rain again now.
I am surprised though as I quickly checked the super I put on and its nearly all been drawn That's what they have been doing over the last few days of really bad weather.
Should I be worried??

 

[itma]

The ones on the floor many can't seem to fly and rolling around

When did you last check the varroa drop count and what was it?

 

[beeno]

Any signs of robbing? Me thinking that the ones on the ground rolling around may be injured.

 

[steve56616]

No I haven't done a drop count although I did buy some MAQS the other day to treat. I haven't yet as it has been too cold and not wanted to open the entrance fully yet.

 

[Skyhook]

Better to monitor the mites and only treat if needed. MAQs like any other medical intervention can have side efects, so you want to be sure you are doing some good to counterbalance any harm done.

 

[Cazza]

Tracheal mites can result in crawling bees unable to fly. Probably not but worth looking up the signs and symptoms.
cazza

 

[masterBK]

Tracheal mites can result in crawling bees unable to fly.
------------------------------------------------------
But only if the chronic paralysis virus present: see Bailey/Ball "Honeybee pathology"

 

[steve56616]

I say rolling on the ground, I sort of mean running through the grass trying to fly. I have seen it on and off before and just thought they were old ones coming to an end. They seem to have all gone in now, although there are a few on the floor that seem cold/weak. Very odd.
Also lot of bee poo in quite large lumps. Saw one doing it ( big blob of mustard)

 

[steve56616]

I think it is Tracheal mites :-( Symptoms seem spot on. What now?

 

[jp19sqn]

Some folks have used eucalyptus crystals, but never had to myself.

 

[steve56616]

Nosema shows the same symptoms, actually probably more likely with the poo they have done outside. Probably after a few days of being cooped up due to the weather

 

[itma]

Thymol is supposed to be effective.
But Acarine is supposed to be very rare these days ...

Sounds like it shouldn't be too difficult to put some specimens in a box and freeze to kill and preserve for your association microscopist to have a look at.
I'm sure they'd LOVE to do a real check for Nosema and Acarine.




Meanwhile, you say you haven't checked the varroa drop or done any varroa treatments, but how long have you had the bees for?

I have seen a couple of my workers with the same {deformed wings}. Outside the hive trying to fly off. I asumed that with such numbers there is always going to be a deformaty here and there, mayby I'm wrong. I don't seem to have a varroa problem.

 

[steve56616]

Thymol is supposed to be effective.
But Acarine is supposed to be very rare these days ...

Sounds like it shouldn't be too difficult to put some specimens in a box and freeze to kill and preserve for your association microscopist to have a look at.
I'm sure they'd LOVE to do a real check for Nosema and Acarine.




Meanwhile, you say you haven't checked the varroa drop or done any varroa treatments, but how long have you had the bees for?

Bought these bees in April so not long

 

[itma]

Bought these bees in April so not long

Well, I hope you didn't pay much!


I'd suggest getting an inspection board in ASAP, and seeing what sort of count you get in 3 days. Anything like 30 and you have a significant problem with varroa and its viruses - whatever else may be going on.

Seeing ANY deformed wings indicates a high varroa load, now or recently.

 

[Sean.]

Some folks have used eucalyptus crystals, but never had to myself.

I've not heard about using eucalyptus crystals, where can you get them from?

 

[Moggett]

It would appear that MAQS are also effective against tracheal mites as well as varroa ...

http://www.bbhoneyfarms.com/store/p-175-mite-away-quick-strips-20-pack

 

[beekeeping4you]

Some folks have used eucalyptus crystals, but never had to myself.

I've not heard about using eucalyptus crystals, where can you get them from?

Hi Sean,
I think it would need menthol crystals for an acarine treatment, not 'eucalyptus'...
Found a report about this some years ago somewhere, as far as I remember for a successful treatment you will have to evaporate lots of the stuff (250 gr ?) over a period of 6 months and you will have to do it in Florida "Sunshine State" because of the daytime temperatures necessary to melt down the menthol...

Regards
Reiner

 

[beekeeping4you]

It would appear that MAQS are also effective against tracheal mites as well as varroa ...
http://www.bbhoneyfarms.com/store/p-175-mite-away-quick-strips-20-pack

Moggett is right,

(30cc of 60 - 80% FA evaporated on sponge cloth over brood chamber four times in weekly intervals clears Varroa and Acarapis in Germany, but for various reasons not recommended around here...)

Regards
Reiner

 

[steve56616]

Been in contact with the bee inspector. He said to send off 30 dead bees with £40 to York for testing.
He thinks it is either Amoeba, acarine or nosema and the test will show this.
He thinks if nosema then its probably due to the bad weather and not to worry too much as the colony has been growing well

Any thoughts???

 

[masterBK]

Unlikely to be Amoeba (the incubation period for Amoaeba is so long that bees have to be very old to show it (ie only really see it in early spring) and the symptoms are not obvious although it shortens their life ). Amoeba is not usually present on its own as more often than not it is accompanied by Nosema apis. Surely you must have a local beekeeper with a microscope and the skills to check the bees for you (for nowt) without having to fork out that amount of money. In meantime consider getting the bees onto clean comb.