New Tree Hive..treatment suggestions

EasternShore · October 25, 2008, 10:24:46 PM

A tree service cut a large colony in a tree out for me, I got it home ok, they are calm and apparently healthy. Would you treat for nosema?
It's a 5' tree section open at the very top with an inner cover screwed to the stump, an empty deep on top of that and a cover. They have taken several gallons of 2-1 and by the looks of the traffic in and out very numerous. The original entrance is a 3 inch hole midway done the section which I reduced with foam insulation board to 1 inch.

The very top was cut off by the service and contained a small amount of honey which they robbed out before I got there.

It's getting much cooler at night here and need suggestions on treatment if any. No way to tell if they have stores or not.
I plan to draw them up into the deep this spring if they make it .
The tree is very thick so it's insulated.

BjornBee · October 26, 2008, 12:25:17 AM

I don't treat my bees. Although there is much talk about treating for nosema with fumagilin-B.

I take it that you have other hives? Did you treat them? The reason I ask, is it seems other than your own IPM and willingness to treat, there is nothing based solely on them being a feral colony that would suggest "needing" treatments.

steve · October 26, 2008, 07:30:18 AM

Any time you bring an unknown into your apiary you will always run the risk of importing some sort of pathogen.
It sure would not hurt to do a one time treatment for nosema, especially with the new more virulent strain of nosema (Nosema cerana) floating around.
I use a quarantine yard for all my tree sections, cut outs and other unknown hives.........
Steve

Michael Bush · October 26, 2008, 02:52:44 PM

>Any time you bring an unknown into your apiary you will always run the risk of importing some sort of pathogen.

And good genes to combat it...

EasternShore · October 27, 2008, 05:40:30 AM

Thanks guys,
Was looking for opinions..They appear healthy at this time. I do not treat any of my girls at this time, as there's no sign of problems.

Being rather new I wanted feedback on this type of colony. I have no way to determine any issues other than a dead out in the spring. I would rather that not happen. I have fed them a bit so if they are going to make it's in the "Big Guys" hands.

Is here any way other than sending a few off to a lab to determine nosema?
Thanks again
Mark

Michael Bush · October 27, 2008, 07:24:49 AM

>Is here any way other than sending a few off to a lab to determine nosema?

Sure. Field strip a few and put the contents of the stomach on a slide with a 400x microscope and look for rod shaped organisms. Search the web and you can find pictures of what it looks like under the microscope.

EasternShore · October 27, 2008, 06:56:55 PM

Mike,

How fresh do they need to be? Also, while I'm looking is there anything else I might want to look for?

Michael Bush · October 27, 2008, 08:00:10 PM

>How fresh do they need to be? Also, while I'm looking is there anything else I might want to look for?

Seems like they were collecting samples here for the university in isopropyl alcohol. But I've only done them fresh myself. I think I'd try to get a few live bees.

Honestly, though, I'd just leave them along until spring. I've not treated for Nosema for 34 years now.

EasternShore · October 31, 2008, 07:01:36 PM

Thanks Michael,

I've decided to follow your lead and let nature make the rules. They are so darn healthy..at least in numbers. Did some feeding today as it was warm and GEEZZZ...so many girls!!! Even my well established hives don't have those numbers.
I'm such a proud daddy...hehe

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