A honey bee colony functions as a single organism where each bee’s survival relies on the others. Diseases afflicting any individual can severely disrupt the entire colony’s health. European foulbrood is one bacterial infection, caused by Melissococcus plutonius, that threatens honey bees worldwide across all beekeeping regions. This guide focuses on approaches for the treatment and management of European foulbrood and examines its impact on hive products such as honey. Detecting European foulbrood infection in […]
In recent years, beekeepers have had to confront numerous challenges including diseases, pests, parasites, predators, and climatic factors. Among these, Acute Bee Paralysis Virus (ABPV) stands out as a major threat to apiculture worldwide. It was first identified during laboratory research focusing on the agent behind bee paralysis, originally linked to the Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV). Like many honey bee illnesses, ABPV can easily spread between colonies and hives due to bees’ social behavior […]
The Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), also referred to as deformed wing disease, is a viral infection that impacts honeybee hives worldwide. The virus is named after its most noticeable symptom—distorted wings—which develop during the bee’s pupal stage. The affected bees exhibit shrunken, misshapen wings alongside other visible growth abnormalities. This condition represents a major threat, not only to bees but to humans too, given our dependence on bees for ecological balance and food production. Varroa […]
American foulbrood (AFB) is a lethal disease that affects honey bee larvae, caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae. Once infected, the brood dies during the pupal or pre-pupal phases. When infection spreads extensively throughout a hive’s brood, it weakens the colony, often resulting in its ultimate demise. Transmission of American Foulbrood Contrary to what some might think, this disease is not caused by stress and can infect even robust honey bee colonies. Managing your apiary […]
The Cloudy Wing Virus (CWV) is closely associated with the deadly varroa mite parasite; in fact, severe infestations by this mite generally coincide with the presence of CWV. This has led to the suggestion that varroa mites are a primary vehicle for spreading the virus, although definitive proof is still lacking. Though one of the least researched honey bee viruses, CWV is frequently found in colonies undergoing collapse. Migratory beekeepers in the US have publicized […]
A beehive functions as a tiny climate system, where maintaining ideal conditions is crucial for the health of its honeybee inhabitants. Deviations from these optimal conditions can be detrimental if prolonged. Honeybees constantly work to regulate both temperature and humidity inside their hive, using various strategies to sustain a nearly stable environment. Their primary focus is on preserving suitable conditions for the brood, while other parts of the hive receive secondary attention in terms of […]
Honeybee brood encompasses all developmental stages of the honeybee except the adult form. Specifically, it includes the egg, larva, and pupa stages. For domestic bees, the brood is mainly found inside the beehive. This brood is critical to the colony’s future since it represents the next generation of bees that will mature into workers, drones, or the mother queen bee. Brood and adult bees, each with distinct roles, together form a powerful unit working in […]
Honeycombs are essential to the survival of every honeybee colony. They provide the structure where brood is reared and where honey and pollen are stored for future use. During hive inspections, however, beekeepers may notice white material inside or on the combs. It may appear as damp white patches or as hard, crystal-like deposits, leading many to suspect disease or pest activity. In reality, these white substances can have several causes, most of which are […]
Dark honeycombs are a natural feature of established honeybee colonies and are usually the result of brood combs being used repeatedly over time. As comb ages, it gradually changes from pale yellow to deep brown or almost black. In some cases, honey stored in these older combs may also appear darker, especially when it comes from nectar sources that naturally produce rich, dark honey. What Causes Honeycombs to Turn Dark? If you are inspecting a […]
Beekeeping is full of unexpected events, some rewarding and others more challenging. One issue that every beekeeper should understand is honeybee robbing. You may hear experienced beekeepers refer to “robber bees” and assume they are a special type of honeybee, but they are not. Robber bees are ordinary worker bees that invade another colony to steal its honey. They break open capped honey cells, fill their honey stomachs, and return to their own hive with […]