a drone

bee diseases: yes, bees too can really get sick!

515 Comments / Beekeeping / By

When I was little, I had a wonderful Siberian Husky, a super cuddlish and cute black&white brown-eyed one. His name was Ito. When he was approx. 14, unfortunately he died for a tumor. We generally ponder and remember what we hear more often about. What is daily closer to us. If we think of the veterinary, we think of calling him for the dog´s vaccination or for sterilizing the cat. Dogs and cats can get sick and here he is, the veterinary. Yeees, of course, there are not only dogs and cats, for example if someone has a farm, this person should call a vet for some checks to their cows, pigs, goats or horses,… but the bees? Nooo…I mean, bees need a vet? And how can you check them then? One by one? How can the vet check if they always fly around?

Despite the fact that they seem perfect, unbeatable, super efficient…almost super heroes!…bees too can get sick…actually they can really get sick!

Ops, never thought about it before…

Didn’t mean to be bad, didn´t want to discriminate any bee, absolutely no! it’s just that…dunno, never thought about it before! As simple as true. Didn’t ponder so far on the fact that bees too can get sick. On the fact that vet exists for them too. Actually there is a wide range of diseases that can affect bees. It’s important to think about it! Maybe you are thinking ‘I don’t have a apiary, i’m not a beekeeper, I don’t have to take care of this, neither have to be aware of this’. But it shouldn’t be this way. Sorry, I don’t want to sound exaggerate, really, but it’s a very important issue.

I explain to you why, wait…

Bee diseases? yep, despite beekeepers take care of them with much love...it can happen...
Granpa Heinz taking care of his hives with much love

At our home page as well, we point this out clearly “bees are for everyone, but not anyone can take care of them!”. This means that, first of all, if you decide to start a beekeeping path, you have to be sure that you really want this. Because bees are not only “Let’s help biodiversity”, “mmm honey is so good!”, they are much more. They are not pieces of plastic, they are living beings and so they can get ill. Hence, if you want an apiary, that’s good, but before starting you have to study, to make experience, read and observe much. At stake is respect for the bees, but also for the other beekeepers, because if you start such a path without taking it seriously, do you know what happens? The bees from the surroundings beekeepers could get sick despite their efforts and good job. This would trigger a dangerous and costly domino effect that ends up with the bees death and the indescribable sorrow of the beekeepers. Being sustainable, being aware, means to be this way in these cases as well, in all our practices and choices.

Bee diseases: aren’t they able to protect themselves alone?

As explained very clearly in one of the beekeeping manuals that I have read, already the beehive by itself does not help very much in fighting diseases. Beehives are closed, with a pretty high wetness level and high temperatures. They contain much nutrients and thousands of tiny beings always in contact with each other, due to their social organization…but it’s this way and bees like it much! On the other hand, bees know how to defend themselves: honey, propolis and royal jelly (all good stuff!) contain active anti-bacterial substances that fight against many pathogenic agents. Moreover, bees are obsessed with cleanliness. The whole hive, each single cell, everything is continuously cleaned. Any dead bee or any other insect that managed to enter secretly is thrown out at the soonest. And if too big or heavy to be carried out, it gets mummified by covering it with propolis. In this way, it get completely harmless. Clean, clean, clean. A truly obsessive-compulsive disorder, that allows them to keep the environment as much healthy as possible.

But so…what goes wrong?

Well, family could be weak and so not able to promptly react to any pathogenic agent. It could be that it’s not a proper area for a apiary, maybe too much polluted or without enough nectar or hydro-sources, for example. Another reason could be that the beekeeper (or some beekeepers of the zone, as we were telling) is a bit too superficial and overlooks some essential points, such as the fact of leaving enough food for winter. Or he does not particularly care of the hygiene in general: honeycombs must be cyclically changed and the tools must be cleaned.

For sure, the beekeeper must be the first one in taking care of everything both for the bees and their balance. Inspections are fundamental to catch any warning sign in time, at that point a veterinary must be called.

Which are these bee diseases?

Now I don’t want to make you bored with thousands details about each disease. I just wanted to outline them in general. Bees diseases can be divided in those that affects the brood and those that damage the adult bee. They can be caused by mushrooms, bacteria or virus.

Among the most famous ones:

  • The acarus varroa: this is an acarus that causes malformations, weakening and wounds to the bees. It seems it affects especially the drones but yet it hits indiscriminately any bee in the hive. For this reason it’s important to undergo every family to an anti-varroa yearly treatment.
  • American pest: it attacks the brood. The spores are extremely strong and difficult to wipe out (till the point that fire must be used to get rid of it)
  • European pest: in this case too, the bacillus kill the brood. If compared with the American one, what changes is basically the appearance of the damaged brood. Unfortunately for both pests, there is no way to understand what is going on enough in advance: you can find them out only with analysis made by the vet or otherwise you can recognize it only when it’s really to late.
  • Acarapis woodi: this is an acarus that affects the adult bee, specifically her breathing apparatus. The bee dies suffocated. At that point the acarus starts again its research and choose another victim.
  • Nosema Apis: this too affects adult bees. This is a mushroom that enters bees´intestine through what bees eat. The mushroom compromises intestine’s functions and the bees won’t be able to feed the brood. Its spores will spread through their excrements.
  • Nosema ceranae: it shortens the life of adult bees. Bees are shaking and can’t fly. The family gets weaker and weaker till disappearing.

How can you fight against bees diseases?

A part from varroa, where every year you take care of with an ad hoc treatment to limit the effects, for the other cases there’s much hard work to do. On one side, honey, wax and all the beehives products can be used anyway as long as they don’t get in contact with bees – that’s true. You can use the wax for making candles, but you can’t use it then for producing wax sheets. We can eat honey without any issue, but we can’t give it to the bees. This is the reason why it’s better to avoid giving honey to bees, if you are not 100% sure that it comes from healthy ones. There are not antibiotics or vaccinations for these bees diseases. Once rescued what possible, especially if the disease is at a very late-stage, the beekeeper has to burn everything. That’s why I was telling, it’s a very hard work for the heartbroken beekeeper.

We hope that this article will clarify a bit more the bee diseases topic. This all is very important not only for beekeepers, but really for everybody. Reaching this awareness makes you understand for example how much is important to avoid giving honey to bees. It makes you understand how much their balance may be fragile. How much bee-friendly plants are essential, because the more nectar sources exist, the stronger and healthier bees are. This makes you aware as well of the beekeeper job, that can’t absolutely be taken for granted. Unfortunately, bees too get sick and we must keep it in mind. Have you ever heard about bees diseases?

For any question, curiosity, comment, we are here!

A hug,

The Gäblini

515 thoughts on “bee diseases: yes, bees too can really get sick!”

  4. tea burn review

    Its fantastic as your other blog posts : D, appreciate it for posting. “To be at peace with ourselves we need to know ourselves.” by Caitlin Matthews.

  9. servicio tecnico canon

    This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

  14. Java Burn

    I loved as much as you’ll receive performed proper here. The comic strip is attractive, your authored material stylish. however, you command get got an shakiness over that you wish be turning in the following. in poor health without a doubt come further in the past once more since precisely the same just about a lot steadily within case you protect this increase.

  15. Java Burn

    You made some clear points there. I looked on the internet for the issue and found most people will agree with your website.

  16. nanodefense pro

    Merely a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw outstanding style. “Justice is always violent to the party offending, for every man is innocent in his own eyes.” by Daniel Defoe.

  19. Pineal XT

    What i don’t realize is in reality how you are now not really a lot more smartly-preferred than you may be right now. You are so intelligent. You know thus considerably relating to this topic, produced me individually imagine it from so many varied angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be involved until it’s one thing to do with Woman gaga! Your individual stuffs excellent. Always deal with it up!

  22. the wealth signal reviews

    What Is Wealth Signal? Wealth Signal isn’t just a financial tool; it’s a new way of thinking about and achieving wealth. Unlike traditional methods that focus on external strategies, Wealth Signal emphasizes changing your internal mindset.

  24. how to hire a hacker

    I have learn some good stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you set to create this type of excellent informative website.

  27. Java Burn Review

    This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.

  28. Prodentim

    It’s the best time to make a few plans for the long run and it’s time to be happy. I’ve learn this submit and if I may just I wish to suggest you some attention-grabbing issues or suggestions. Maybe you can write next articles relating to this article. I want to learn more issues approximately it!

  29. FitSpresso

    I think other web site proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and wonderful user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You are an expert in this topic!

  31. weihunchunan

    You possibly can be sure of getting fresh and hygienic food because the catering service is tied up with reputed
    eating places solely and does extensive analysis about
    the quality of food, the standard of service, popularity, employees strength and way more.
    They look and operate very like pencil sharpeners, except they reduce the vegetables into thin strands.

    Inform us the identify of this pastry that is not just made
    with butter, it’s made with sooooo much butter. Inform us what it’s.

    Tell us what it’s known as. Are you able to look Sue Perkins in the
    attention and tell her what you’ve made? I’m undecided what they’ve found from a scientific point, however all potatoes
    are thought of to be acceptable for Whole30.

    In case you are in Perth, Australia and are looking for
    an offbeat place for having fun with your pals, then few places can ever fulfill your criteria just like the Beldon Tavern. Have you ever thought of getting low cost deals
    on ordering food on-line or having dinner outdoors from your favourite eating places?
    Getting an endorsement deal or two after being crowned champion is just the icing on the
    cake! A vitréais cake comes from the town of Vitré in Brittany.

  39. Sugar Defender Reviews

    Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem along with your website in web explorer, may test this… IE still is the marketplace chief and a big element of folks will pass over your excellent writing due to this problem.

  47. fitspresso review

    Thanks for the good writeup. It in truth used to be a amusement account it. Glance complex to more added agreeable from you! However, how can we keep up a correspondence?

  54. Ikaria Lean Belly Juice review

    Howdy are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you require any coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!

  58. Pronerve6 reviews

    When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get three e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Bless you!

  61. Ikaria Lean Belly Juice reviews

    What i do not understood is in fact how you’re now not actually much more smartly-liked than you might be right now. You are very intelligent. You know thus considerably in the case of this subject, produced me personally believe it from numerous various angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be fascinated until it is one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your personal stuffs outstanding. At all times deal with it up!

  69. Fitspresso review

    A large percentage of of whatever you say happens to be supprisingly legitimate and it makes me wonder why I had not looked at this with this light before. This particular article really did turn the light on for me personally as far as this topic goes. Nonetheless there is actually one particular position I am not really too cozy with and while I make an effort to reconcile that with the core theme of the issue, allow me observe what all the rest of your visitors have to say.Very well done.

  74. Herpesyl

    I have not checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are great quality so I guess I?¦ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

  83. sugar defender

    This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.

  90. Sightcare review

    Helpful info. Lucky me I discovered your web site accidentally, and I am shocked why this twist of fate didn’t came about earlier! I bookmarked it.

  95. sugar defender

    What Is Sugar Defender? Sugar Defender is a natural blood sugar support formula created by Tom Green. It is based on scientific breakthroughs and clinical studies.

  100. multifin

    I?¦m no longer certain the place you are getting your info, but good topic. I must spend a while learning more or working out more. Thanks for wonderful information I used to be searching for this information for my mission.

  107. hire a social media hacker

    Very nice info and right to the point. I am not sure if this is truly the best place to ask but do you folks have any thoughts on where to hire some professional writers? Thanks in advance 🙂

  111. hackers for hire

    F*ckin’ tremendous things here. I’m very glad to see your post. Thanks a lot and i am looking forward to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?

  113. hackers for hire near me

    Normally I do not read post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to take a look at and do so! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, very nice post.

  270. 20bet

    I am currently writing a paper that is very related to your content. I read your article and I have some questions. I would like to ask you. Can you answer me? I’ll keep an eye out for your reply. 20bet

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *