Chilled Brood?

reinbeau · June 03, 2007, 07:28:09 PM

We went up to the Maine beeyard this weekend and found this

I'm thinking the brood got chilled in this hive and they tossed them. There are actually more than this, many are on the ground. It was pretty chilly last weekend but it was supposed to get warm, so we took the bottom covers off the SBB. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

annette · June 03, 2007, 07:32:58 PM

I have been told by experienced beekeepers that it is ok to keep the bottom open all year round on the SBB. Cold doesn't kill bees, moisture does, plus diseases and pests.

I am not sure what the problem is and I am sure more experienced beekeepers are on the way.

Good Luck
Annette

reinbeau · June 03, 2007, 07:55:48 PM

Annette, up here, many put something in to stop the draft. Our temps can go below zero and stay there for awhile, especially up in Maine. Snow piles up, even under hives!

The cardboard was there because the guy we bought the bees from further north of us had us cover it, especially since we were moving the hives over 95 miles to our own yard. He's a very experienced beekeeper who has a very good reputation for overwintering. I'm going to do as the Romans do up here ;)

reinbeau · June 03, 2007, 08:39:49 PM

Chalkbrood. I've been told to contact the guy who supplied us with the bees. I'll be doing that tomorrow. :-x

annette · June 03, 2007, 08:44:50 PM

Yes, follow the people who know about cold weather. Here we have very mild winters, although we do get many nights that go into the 30's (about 1 month) and some 20's and I left my SBB open all winter.

Good Luck
Annette

Kathyp · June 03, 2007, 08:54:10 PM

did you use any old comb in that hive? that looks similar to some of the dead and dried bodies that my bees dragged out of old comb. it wasn't chalkbrood, just desiccated bodies.

woodchopper · June 03, 2007, 09:10:19 PM

Quote from: kathyp on June 03, 2007, 08:54:10 PM
did you use any old comb in that hive? that looks similar to some of the dead and dried bodies that my bees dragged out of old comb. it wasn't chalkbrood, just desiccated bodies.

Thanks Kathy. We used alot of drawn comb from our hives that didn't make it over the winter. We don't remember how much dead brood was in those frames but we will keep a close eye on it.

Scadsobees · June 04, 2007, 08:55:06 AM

Yes, it does look like chalkbrood mummies, and it looks pretty serious from the number of them.

It will happen occasionally during damp weather, and can be somewhat controlled by the queens genetics. It will usually clear up on its own, but keep an eye on it it can occasionally be serious. Open the SBB, airflow helps since it is a fungus.

Rick

Cindi · June 04, 2007, 10:54:41 AM

Ann, Rick is correct. Without a doubt that is chalkbrood. Chalkbrood is common in small numbers in most apiaries. If the numbers are really high, that is definitely genetics. When we were taught about brood diseases that is one that was addressed certainly. The advice given when there are overly high numbers of chalkbrood is to requeen that colony. I had to requeen a colony last year because almost all the brood that was laid had this disease. The problem cleared up. Chalkbrood can be quite a problem.

In one of the nucs that I got this year, almost all the brood that came from the original queen in the "mother" colony had chalkbrood. I seriously don't think that any of the nuc brood did not have it. Fortunately, when the breeder made up the nuc he used new queens, the Kona Italian, so that would have cleared up any chalkbrood issues. New queen, new genetics. BUT....I will be keeping a close eye on this colony for more chalkbrood issues. I do have to contact the breeder to let him know that one of the nucs did not have any brood that hatched out healthy from his nuc he sold me. I am not angry or annoyed, but he needs to know, for his own sake and reputation, that there were issues with chalkbrood in a nuc he sold me.

Why don't you google chalkbrood. You will need to know a little more about this disease, it is important for you to know and understand these things. Study it a little bit and then you will be informed, knowing diseases and other issues with your bees is your best friend when it comes to keeping healthy colonies. And I know that is one of your agendas, that shines through in your posts. Have a wonderful day, great life, and Ann, love that life you're livin'. Cindi

Kathyp · June 04, 2007, 12:01:20 PM

interesting. i found the same, or close to it, once. it was when they began to clean out some old comb that i had given them. i knew there were dead larvae in there so i didn't think anything of it. if that was chalkbrood, i hope it wasn't spread to my hive :-(. i have not seen the same since, and that was a month ago.

tig · June 05, 2007, 06:05:48 AM

certainly looks like chalkbrood. it's caused by a fungus and damp weather makes it more active. i got hit right as summer was ending and rainy season came around. the sudden change of temperature made it worse. i compressed my hives and kept an eye on them. those that were badly infected, i removed the old comb and made them draw new combs.

new combs plus compression controlled it without requeening.

Michael Bush · June 05, 2007, 07:13:36 AM

http://www.bushfarms.com/beespests.htm#chalkbrood

Kathyp · June 05, 2007, 12:44:28 PM

i think we are ok. i'll really look for it when i get into the hive next. we have been warm and dry and ventilation is good. of course, today it's raining :-)