One of my aunts hive had evidence of chalkbrood. she has re-queened it hoping that it will correct the issue. Her question is.... Is the honey Ok to harvest or is it tainted from the chalkbrood?
Quote from: sweet bee on June 07, 2014, 02:23:51 AM
One of my aunts hive had evidence of chalkbrood. she has re-queened it hoping that it will correct the issue. Her question is.... Is the honey Ok to harvest or is it tainted from the chalkbrood?
Yes. There is nothing wrong with the honey.
Jim
There is no reason to do anything for chalkbrood. It will clear up. It won't contaminate your honey. It's caused by chilled brood.
Quote from: Michael Bush on June 07, 2014, 06:20:54 PM
There is no reason to do anything for chalkbrood. It will clear up. It won't contaminate your honey. It's caused by chilled brood.
Mike,
I normally take your word as gospel but not on this reply. I was really surprised by "chilled brood".
I copied this from the web.
Chalkbrood:
This disease of honeybees is the most common brood disease found in most areas. Caused by the fungus Ascosphaera apis. Chalkbrood is most common in colonies which are stressed by factors such as humid weather, low colony population, American foulbrood, or mite infestation, poor nutrition, and poor hive management. Picture
Treatment is very limited, there are no medications. Best treatment consists of dealing with stress factors that the colony is dealing with.
Cleaning behavior of the workers is maybe only second or third to good ventilation and hive population, to resist chalkbrood.
With weather extremes (cold clustering and heat fanning), the brood may be left unattended, especially when nurse bee numbers become insufficient to attend to duties. Most often the first larvae affected are those that may be unattended regularly around the edges of the brood where the brood temperature may not be consistent.
Summery:
1. Destroy chalkbrood and American foulbrood contaminated combs.
2. Regular requeening.
3. Add bees to strengthen hives.
4. Good hive management.
5. Provide extra good ventilation to remove humidity and minimize temperature extremes, this to will strengthen hives.