deformed bees

Myron Rotruck · September 01, 2006, 11:54:52 PM

I am having trouble with one of my hives. I got this swarm from a tree here on my place, and I think I did something wrong. I got some of the brood out of the old tree and put it in some empty frames I had, and put rubber bands around the frame to hold the brood cone in place. But this is what I did wrong I think, is that I put the cone upside down from what it was in the tree, or maybe even on it's side, I did'nt pay attention which way it was in the tree, I just put it in the frames. and I am having some deformed bees coming out of the hive. some small bees and some without any wings. Alot of the bees are normal and the hive is in fair condition for winter, But something is making these bees deformed. I can watch them for a good while and I will see some just walk out of the hive and fall of the edge and others are carried off by other bees. Give me some input on this thanks.

Brian D. Bray · September 02, 2006, 12:49:41 AM

I don't believe the upside down position of the comb is responsible for the deformed bees. I too have taken cutout of feral bees and made the same mistake--sometimes laying the comb on its side was the only way to make it fit in the frames.

It is much more likely that the deformities are the result of mites. Do a Sugar shake and see what shakes out. I think you'll discover a high varroa count.

Jeff L · September 02, 2006, 02:59:48 AM

I recently took a hive from a grain silo and put it in a couple of supers. For the first two to three weeks I had bees with stubby semi-formed wings and also many dead bees around this new hive. Now roughly 8 weeks later all is well. I don't have this problem anymore, plus the hive is definitely growing larger. I think when I transferred this "cutout' hive to the boxes, I interrupted the brood process somehow. Hence the deformed bees. Maybe wait a few weeks more and see if things return to normal. My rookie thoughts.
Jeff

Jeff L · September 02, 2006, 03:20:40 AM

Myron if you read my old "Newbie hive" thread you'll better understand what I mean. It maybe on page two by now. I just flopped a big hive into a frameless super, then added a waxed 10 frame super on top. So some of the brood comb got squished or partially squished. Maybe this is the reason for the deformed bees we both have/had. My bees have now moved up into the top super with the waxed frames and they're going great guns! Who'd have thunk it huh? Thanks to the locals here for all their help!!

Jeff

ian michael davison · September 02, 2006, 04:37:49 AM

Hi Guys
Brian is spot on your deformed bees are probably down to Varroa. Normaly strong hives evict the deformed bees and the problem is not noticed until they are heavily infested.

The fact that both these hives have now settled and back to some sort of norm may be misguiding. Do a sugar roll as Brian suggests or as these bees are trying to establish themselves to overwinter give them a treatment to help.

One thing is certain that the Varroa is there and it can/will come back and bite you on the arse!!

Regards Ian

Dale · September 02, 2006, 02:24:15 PM

I agree with Brian and Ian. Do a sugar roll test, and you will find your varroa count is high. If you don't treat, don't make any plans for that swarm next year.

Dale · September 02, 2006, 02:24:49 PM

I agree with Brian and Ian. Do a sugar roll test, and you will find your varroa count is high. If you don't treat, don't make any plans for that swarm next year.

My website has instructions on how to do a sugar roll test.

newbee101 · September 02, 2006, 06:05:57 PM

You have DWV (deformed wing virus). Depending how bad the mite infestation is, the hive might not make it through the winter with the loss of theses new bees.

Jeff L · September 03, 2006, 01:17:58 AM

Guys, thanks for the help. I'm VERY happy I went back tonight and checked this site for replies. I never would have known about the deformed wing situation. I have a friend in the ag. field who's a beekeeper as a side job, pollenating prunes, pears, peaches etc. I'll call him Tuesday and ask him how to treat my hive. We talked about it briefly a couple of months ago and he's had BIG problems with Varroa mites, and is now using ???? mixed with shortening placed on top of the frames that melts down slowly. Now don't hold me to this info. Was a while back that we had this conversation, but is a similar treating process in CA. Again I'll call him ASAP. Thanks for the help!!!!!!!

Jeff