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Depiction:
May disease is not an infectious disease, but a metabolic disorder that mainly occurs in spring when the brood is developing rapidly. It is linked to a lack of water in the colony. The following information is based on official memo 2.9 from the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Bee paralysis is a viral disease that mainly affects adult bees and can lead to behavioral disorders and increased losses. Official memo 2.10 from the Swiss Bee Health Service describes the symptoms, contributing factors, and what to do if you suspect your bees are affected.
The disease is caused by a virus. The pathogen can multiply both in adult bees and in the brood. In contrast to elongated larvae or prepupae, which may become diseased and die, no clinical symptoms are visible in infected adult bees, but their lifespan is reduced.
Official Practical Guide 2.12 classifies Tropilaelaps as a monitored disease. It describes two species of parasitic mites originating from Asia that can infest the European honey bee, and lists patchy brood, sunken/perforated cappings, and deformed bees as typical infestation indicators. For Switzerland, the document states that no presence has been confirmed to date, and that refraining from bee imports, conducting regular monitoring, and notifying the bee inspector in the event of suspected infestation are key preventive measures.
This protocol sheet facilitates the structured documentation of suspected bee poisoning and provides precise instructions for taking and sending samples. It is intended for beekeepers and competent persons to support coordinated clarification. The content is based on the official checklist 3.1.1 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Bee poisoning can cause significant colony losses and requires a rapid and structured response. This checklist describes the characteristic signs, possible causes, and steps to take if poisoning is suspected. The following information is based on the official checklist 3.1.2 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Periods of scarcity are times when bees cannot find sufficient sources of nectar and pollen, which can lead to food shortages for the colony. The summary below is based on official guidance document 3.2 from the Swiss Beekeeping Service (BGD/SSA) and outlines the causes, effects, and practical management measures.
Bee losses during mowing can be significant, particularly on flowering areas that are heavily frequented by foraging bees. Official memo 3.3 from the Swiss Bee Health Service describes the causes of these losses and measures to reduce them through appropriate mowing practices.
Many animal species can be observed at apiaries, interacting directly or indirectly with bee colonies. This checklist presents the accompanying fauna, animals that are generally harmless and those that may cause problems, and describes the appropriate way to deal with these situations. The following information is based on the official checklist 3.4 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Good beekeeping practice encompasses the fundamental principles for ensuring responsible, sustainable beekeeping that respects bee colonies. It provides a reference framework for all beekeeping activities. The information below is based on summary guide 4 from the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Hygiene in colony management is essential for preventing disease and maintaining healthy colonies. It concerns both the beekeeper's behavior and the correct use of equipment. The following information is based on the official checklist 4.1 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Propolis is a natural substance produced by bees and plays an essential role in the hygiene and stability of the colony. The fact sheet describes its origin, functions, and importance in the colony. The following information is based on the official fact sheet 4.1.1 from the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Feeding is an essential part of colony management and helps to compensate for periods of food shortage while ensuring the development and wintering capacity of colonies. The timing, quantity, and type of food must be adapted to the strength of the colony and the season. The information below is based on the official checklist 4.2 of the Bee Health Service (SSA).
Wintering is a crucial phase in the beekeeping year and largely determines the development of colonies in the following spring. It depends on colonies that are healthy, sufficiently strong, and properly prepared. The information below is based on the official BGD/SSA checklist 4.3 and summarizes the key points for successful wintering.
Replacing frames is an essential part of good beekeeping practice and contributes significantly to the health of colonies. Regularly replacing old frames reduces health risks and improves brood and storage conditions. The following information is based on official guideline 4.4 from the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Controlled melting of frames (e.g., to recover wax or treat used frames) produces clean wax and facilitates the removal of undesirable substances. This summary is based exclusively on the official guidance document 4.4.1 (BGD/SSA).
Proper storage of frames is an essential part of beekeeping hygiene and helps prevent damage caused by pests, mold, or contamination. The checklist describes appropriate storage methods and precautions to be taken. The following information is based on the official checklist 4.4.2 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Natural comb construction involves building without embossed wax foundation, giving bees the freedom to build their combs according to their needs. This fact sheet outlines the conditions, advantages, and limitations of this beekeeping practice. The following information is based on the official fact sheet 4.4.3 from the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Unmarked queens are sometimes very difficult to locate. We recommend having marking equipment available during every colony inspection so that unmarked queens can always be marked. This requires a good eye, and not all beekeepers necessarily have the ability to spot queens. When a nucleus colony has to be formed or a queen introduced, the beekeeper is then often faced with difficulties.
The introduction of a queen is an essential operation in beekeeping to replace an existing queen, complete a nucleus colony, or guide selection. This summary is based exclusively on the official checklist 4.5.2 of the Swiss Beekeeping Service (BGD/SSA).
Queen multiplication using the Mini-Plus system is a recognized method for breeding, fertilizing, and preserving young queens. It allows for precise monitoring of queens in small colonies. The information below is based on the official checklist 4.6.1 from the Swiss Bee Health Service.