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Major Bee Diseases & Their Control
1. Varroa Mite Infestation (Varroosis)
- Cause: Varroa destructor (external parasitic mite)
- Symptoms:
- Deformed wings (Deformed Wing Virus)
- Spotty brood pattern
- Weak or dying colony
- Control:
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
- Organic acids (oxalic acid, formic acid)
- Synthetic miticides (e.g., Apivar, Apistan — rotate to avoid resistance)
- Drone brood removal
- Screened bottom boards
2. American Foulbrood (AFB)
- Cause: Paenibacillus larvae (spore-forming bacterium)
- Symptoms:
- Sunken, perforated brood caps
- Brown, ropey larval remains (matchstick test)
- Foul odor
- Control:
- Burn infected hives and equipment
- Antibiotics (e.g., oxytetracycline — only where legal)
- Regular inspection and early detection
3. European Foulbrood (EFB)
- Cause: Melissococcus plutonius (bacteria)
- Symptoms:
- Twisted, yellowish larvae
- Uneven brood pattern
- Sour smell
- Control:
- Requeening with a hygienic strain
- Antibiotics (where allowed)
- Improved nutrition and hive strength
4. Nosema Disease (Nosemosis)
- Cause: Nosema apis or Nosema ceranae (microsporidian fungus)
- Symptoms:
- Dysentery on hive entrance
- Reduced foraging and lifespan
- Poor overwintering
- Control:
- Good ventilation and dry conditions
- Fumagillin (where permitted)
- Replace old comb
- Regular hive sanitation
5. Chalkbrood
- Cause: Ascosphaera apis (fungal infection)
- Symptoms:
- Mummified, chalky larvae
- White or black “mummies” at hive entrance
- Control:
- Improve hive ventilation
- Requeen with hygienic stock
- Remove infected frames
6. Sacbrood Virus (SBV)
- Cause: Sacbrood virus
- Symptoms:
- Larvae fail to pupate
- Fluid-filled sac-like appearance
- Control:
- Usually clears up with stronger colony
- Requeening helps reduce susceptibility
7. Deformed Wing Virus (DWV)
- Cause: Virus spread mainly by Varroa mites
- Symptoms:
- Bees with stubby, deformed wings
- Weak, short-lived adults
- Control:
- Control Varroa mites effectively
- Breed for mite-resistant bees
