Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Beekeeping 101 => Topic started by: ablanton on February 12, 2014, 09:03:36 pm

Title: Chalkbrood
Post by: ablanton on February 12, 2014, 09:03:36 pm

Ok, so I'm taking the bee test at http://www.gobeekeeping.com/ttestform.htm (http://www.gobeekeeping.com/ttestform.htm) and one of the questions asks how to treat chalkbrood.  I get it wrong (of course) because the answer is re-queen the hive.  Huh???  How does re-queening cure a fungal disease spread by spores?  Maybe chalkbrood isn't what I thought it was?  ???

Title: Re: Chalkbrood
Post by: Edward on February 12, 2014, 09:29:52 pm

Bad genes + new wax, better ventilation/ to much ventilation / not enough bees to keep brood warm

Also it can become more common after bad weather, summer.

mvh Edward  :P

Title: Re: Chalkbrood
Post by: iddee on February 12, 2014, 10:22:56 pm

 
Control

With no registered chemicals available for chalkbrood control, the only means of controlling the disease is through management practices and use of disease-resistant bees.
Chemicals

There is no effective chemical agent effective for use against chalkbrood fungus, therefore, chemicals are not recommended for the treatment of chalkbrood.
Management practices

Management practices that reduce the stress on hives also reduce the number of chalkbrood spores. Maintaining strong healthy colonies has been demonstrated to reduce the effects of chalkbrood.

Management practices which may reduce the effects of chalkbrood disease are:

    removing 'mummies' from bottom boards and around the entrance
    destroying combs containing large numbers of 'mummies'
    supplying new combs
    providing good ventilation in hives
    adding young adult bees to hives
    not allowing bees to winter in a hive that is over supered
    feeding sugar syrup, fresh uncontaminated pollen or supplements
    maintaining strong hives by regular re-queening
    reducing or preventing interchange of hive materials
    not using the same site each year - if possible shift the apiary site slightly.

Good hygiene will also help. Change clothes and disinfect smokers, boots and hive tools using chlorine bleach between apiaries or infected hives.

Title: Re: Chalkbrood
Post by: Barbarian on February 13, 2014, 12:55:49 am

For a heavily affected hive, the "shook swarm" technique can also work.

Title: Re: Chalkbrood
Post by: Edward on February 13, 2014, 06:08:59 am

Don't throw away the chalkbrood in the bee yard!

Don't breath in the dust from chalkbrood, its one of the things that can make you sick  :o


mvh Edward  :P

Title: Re: Chalkbrood
Post by: tecumseh on February 13, 2014, 06:36:59 am

asnip...
Good hygiene will also help.

tecumseh...
might make you think that a bit of hygienic stock might be in order?  might make you think that the existing stocks hygienic characteristic are fairly weak?

Title: Re: Chalkbrood
Post by: kebee on February 13, 2014, 06:41:11 am

Ok Barbarian what is a shook swarm and Iddee what do you mean by mummines? Remember everyone here does not know what you that have been in the bee business for quite a while  are referring too.

Ken

Title: Re: Chalkbrood
Post by: Edward on February 13, 2014, 06:52:33 am

Mummies= the dead brood = chalkbrood

Shake the whole hive on too new wax take away all old wax frames


mvh Edward  :P

Title: Re: Chalkbrood
Post by: kebee on February 13, 2014, 07:12:05 am

Thanks Edward, though I knew what they were talking about and you made it clear I did, thanks.

Ken

Title: Re: Chalkbrood
Post by: Perry on February 13, 2014, 08:01:33 am

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/inspection/bees/chalkbrood.htm

Title: Re: Chalkbrood
Post by: Barbarian on February 14, 2014, 04:13:38 am

"Shook Swarm"

Edward is spot on in his explanation........ Thanks

The bees are shaken off the frames into a new BB with fresh foundation. The bees act like a swarm and build fresh clean comb and can race away. In the absence of a flow they will need feeding. The old comb and brood is destroyed.

This technique can be used for other problems. You can get more info from the A to Z index on the Dave Cushman site.   www.dave-cushman.net