While harvesting one of my weaker hives, I noticed a few small dried-up white larva on the base board. Looking at some photos in one of my books, it indicated that this is "chalk brood". I'd like to address this problem before it becomes a real issue. I couldn't find a treatment for Chalk Brood........... is there one?
Regards,
Tucker1
I hear venting or requeening will help if not cure the problem. I am new to beekeeping and have not had the problem but I have talked to people that says this works.
Ticker,
May I suggest you consider why your harvesting honey in late September from a weak hive?
Secondary stress diseases (called secondary, because there are usually extenuating circumstances that allowed the disease to break out in the first place), are more seen in spring as bees are under stress in building up brood, dealing with cold snaps, balancing what needs to be fed with what needs to stay warm, and so on.
Genetics can always play into it. And I'm thinking if there ever was a time to requeen, it is when you see secondary diseases break out in odd times.
However, it is late in the season for requeening, etc. And I never suggest to combine a disease hive, even with minor chalk problem at this point of the year. Midsummer, I would suggest boosting the hive with some brood, perhaps requeening, etc.
For the record, weak hives should of been dealt with weeks ago in places with traditional winters.
I'd let them go and NOT increase the risk to any other hives at this time of the year. If they make it, they make it.
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Like Björbee says, too late to do something.-
Yes, wait to the next spring and take a new look how the earth lays.
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I would say requeen, if you can find a good queen for sale. It's still ok to requeen here in the west if you are getting a good mated laying queen. I've always requeend for chalkbrood, has worked for me.