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As its name suggests, May disease generally occurs in May, but it may also appear as early as April or somewhat later, in June. It mainly affects nurse bees when they do not have sufficient water to digest pollen. Cold weather accompanied by dry northeasterly winds favours the onset of the disease. In addition to water shortage, the bacterium Spiroplasma apis or certain types of pollen may also trigger May disease. Scientists assume that the disease is caused by a combination of different factors.

Formic acid is highly corrosive. Its handling requires great caution. In all cases, protective goggles, acid-resistant gloves, and long-sleeved clothing must be worn.

A mesh screen prevents bees from climbing into the evaporator. This makes inspection easier.

Today, many so-called “probiotic” products are available on the market, intended to improve our health or sometimes even that of our livestock, such as bees¹. Probiotics are formulations based on microorganisms that maintain beneficial relationships with their host. The purpose of this article is to provide elements for reflection in order to understand how such products might potentially contribute to combating diseases of the honey bee.

With this method, all brood, including the varroa mites it contains, is removed from a production colony in July. Brood frames from two to three colonies are combined to form a new unit. Complete brood removal replaces the first summer treatment with formic acid. The second summer treatment must be carried out as usual.

The black locust or false acacia, known by its scientific name Robinia pseudoacacia, is an exotic plant that was introduced from North America in the 17th century. This tree, which can reach up to 25 metres in height and live for as long as 300 years, has spread easily throughout Switzerland, as it adapts to all types of soil and is resistant to pollution, to the point of sometimes being considered invasive; however, it is not found above 800 metres in altitude.

(by Janine Kievits)

A drone-laying colony normally has no future. It can raise only males, either because its queen has lost the ability to fertilise the eggs she lays, or because there is no queen at all and laying workers have taken over. And yet, from time to time—very rarely, but it does happen—a beekeeper is surprised to discover a fine brood developing in a hive whose frames he was about to shake out. How can this be possible?

Impact of varroa infestation on thermoregulation in honey bee colonies: new findings indicate that varroa mites reduce bees’ ability to effectively regulate their body temperature, making them more vulnerable to cold temperatures.

American foulbrood is a serious and highly contagious brood disease. Incorrectly regarded by beekeepers as a shameful disease, many preconceived ideas about it persist. This is a good opportunity to revisit and clarify the subject.

The implementation of a sentinel bee project, through its epidemiological dimension, constitutes the only approach capable of shedding light on the causes of the significant losses that have been affecting bee populations for nearly twenty years. Moreover, such a project makes it possible to assess the state of the environment in which colonies live—an environment that is also our own—in which the bee, owing to its sensitivity to toxic contaminants, plays an early warning role.

During foraging, honey bees exhibit remarkable cognitive abilities. However, pesticides and heavy metals disrupt neuronal communication, impair foraging behaviour, and ultimately place the entire colony at risk.