Virus question

KeyLargoBees · October 21, 2015, 01:32:14 PM

I have a hive that has languished all year and had queen issues. Finally have what appears to be a good queen and the egg laying pattern looks good but the colony is somewhat weak and has a relatively low population. I am seeing signs of uncapping and pupal eviction...state inspector was here last week and found no signs of AFB but said it appeared there was some other viral issue. I did a mite count and it is low and with the number of supercedures and brood breaks in this colony I would be surprised if it were high in any case.

In any event the inspector stated she thought an infusion of 2 frames of capped brood ready to hatch along with nurse bees shaken in from some uncapped brood frames might boost the population and the virus would take care of itself with a stronger hive.....is that good advice or should I be looking into additional treatment options?...Remember I am in the Florida keys and we are till in the mid 80s for highs and in the thick of the brazillian pepper flow so the other hives are going gangbusters and there is no concern for wintering.

Thanks for any input.

AR Beekeeper · October 21, 2015, 06:22:05 PM

Yes, adding capped brood to strengthen the adult population is good advice. When the bees emerge the added nurse bee population will help feed larvae, and will help remove sick larvae from the cells.

What makes you think anyone on the forum has better information than your inspector?

OldMech · October 21, 2015, 10:22:20 PM

Giving them a boost is often good advice. A strong hive can deal with a lot of problems a weaker hive cannot. Down in largo you wont really have a winter, so standard advice wont work there. Give them a boost and see if they pull out of it.
My folks are about to head back down to Big Pine for the winter, I'll tell them to wave on their way through!

GSF · October 22, 2015, 07:52:43 AM

What makes you think anyone on the forum has better information than your inspector? - different opinions, different angles are always good. Also, being an inspector don't make you it. I know of a couple master bee keepers with failing hives.

Someone once pointed out in one of our meetings. The rule of thumb with viruses is they will run their course. Viruses aren't to be confused with diseases. That being said, if you get the flu virus don't just lay there and let it run it's course.

KeyLargoBees · October 22, 2015, 04:51:35 PM

Thanks all...and yes she is a very nice lady and seemed knowledgeable but with only 5 hives herself and her statement she has been beekeeping for only 5 years I thought I would seek a second opinion from people who have been doing it for decades.

Once again thanks!!!

AR Beekeeper · October 22, 2015, 07:05:30 PM

KeyLargo; thanks for responding. Since the Inspector was the only person other than yourself that had actually seen the colony, and was the person that should have knowledge about the disease problems in your area, as well as having the opportunity to look into many colonies a month, I wondered why you did not trust her advice. Usually Inspectors are put through a training program covering all the disease/pest problems known to exist in their area, perhaps Florida doesn't have the funds for that. Thanks for the info, my curiosity is satisfied.

KeyLargoBees · October 23, 2015, 09:11:59 AM

I don't think its a training issue...she seemed knowledgeable...but i have had medical procedures done in the past and the old adage is "its never wrong to seek a second opinion". Its not that I didn't trust her just wanted a second opinion. :-)

noljohn · October 24, 2015, 10:51:46 AM

I don't know why you are questioning the OP about getting a second opinion. I would wonder why if she didn't.