Which disease (B3) ?
Do you recognize this disease? Explain what you see!
- Tubular brood (lesser wax moth)
- European foulbrood
- American foulbrood
- Healthy colony
- Chalkbrood
- Deformed wing virus: DWV
- Nosemosis
View answer
Correct answer: 4 (Healthy colony)
Recognizing a healthy colony is just as important—if not more important—than recognizing a diseased one. Principle: when in doubt, contact the apiary inspector.
For the canton of Valais, the list of inspectors can be found on the website of the Fédération d’Apiculture du Valais Romand (FAVR): https://www.favr.ch/inspecteurs.
What can the beekeeper do?
It is recommended to strengthen bees’ natural defenses against disease by applying the principles of good beekeeping practice. Colonies are healthy when they develop well (adult bees and brood), display good hygienic behavior, and produce good yields. In practice, these are referred to as strong or vital colonies (see cover image). Colony vitality depends on many factors. Beekeepers mainly have the following levers of influence:
- Apiary locations with good nectar flows (continuous food supply) and a suitable local climate.
- Regular creation of young colonies and replacement of weak colonies.
- Selection of queens with sufficient vitality traits (colony development, hygienic behavior).
- Regular renewal of combs.
- Varroa mite control in accordance with regulations – hygiene in the apiary.
- Caution when taking over bees from other locations (diseases!).
- Avoid any importation of bees from regions outside Europe.