Author Topic: Maybe it's not mites.  (Read 6014 times)

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Offline Yankee11

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Maybe it's not mites.
« on: April 25, 2014, 07:00:46 pm »
I went out to a hive that I thought might be mite infested. Not sure that's it now.

The frames that were really loaded with white larva last Sat. 6 days ago, only had maybe 20% capped. looks like it never got capped.
I pulled the caps off of some capped larva and I did not see any mites on larvae.

I found the queen in the upper box and the frame she was on and the frame next to her were completely laid with white pearl larva.

I am way too new to know where to start with this, other than I reconize there is a problem. I have a call in to the state inspector to see
if he wants to come check it out.

No fouls smells. Larvae I pulled out wasnt brown or anything.

It kinda looked like I could small dead larvae in those frame that were so well laid last saturday. Like they are dying before being capped then removed.

Oh, and man did they light me up. BUT, they were hot last year. Don't think that has anything to do with this. Want to pinch this queen but don't want to add another queen in this hive itf it has a problem.

Ideas welcome.  Was gonna take a picture but couldn't be still enough. ouch. ouch.  :D

Offline Slowmodem

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Re: Maybe it's not mites.
« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2014, 09:23:19 pm »
The way I see it, you have three options:  1) do nothing.  2) do a mite count.  3) treat with mite medicine without a mite count.  The only way you'll know for sure is if you do a mite count.
Greg Whitehead
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Beekeeping at 26.4 kbs

Offline Yankee11

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Re: Maybe it's not mites.
« Reply #2 on: April 25, 2014, 11:43:33 pm »
Ok, mite count tomorrow.

Then probably oxalic acid treatment.


Offline Yankee11

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Re: Maybe it's not mites.
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2014, 02:58:03 pm »
Sugar shake test from a mason jar. Probably 3/4 cup of bees.

Only 2 mites. Went ahead and did a treatment. Spoke with the state inspector and he is thinking it may be European Foul Brood. He said that hits the
brood before it get capped. That would explain the good pattern the spotty capped.

Here is a picture of the frames I saw laid tight with white young larva 7 days age. This sholud be solid capped frames






Offline ShepherdsWatchFarm

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Re: Maybe it's not mites.
« Reply #4 on: June 24, 2014, 07:52:13 am »
Yankee,

Did this ever get resolved?
I have a few nucs and small hives looking the same way.

Thanks,
Ed
My biggest fear is that when I die, my wife will sell all of my beekeeping stuff for what I told her I paid for it.

Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: Maybe it's not mites.
« Reply #5 on: June 24, 2014, 09:28:23 am »


   EFB should be pretty easy to see.  Yellow larvae instead of bright white. You should also see dead larvae on the landing board and in front of the hive.
   Also interested in what the issue was.
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Offline apisbees

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Re: Maybe it's not mites.
« Reply #6 on: June 24, 2014, 12:17:02 pm »
How are the honey stores in this hive the frames shown are void of any nectar. Bees will cannibalize the young brood if they are starving. Bad weather can keep them from foraging also.
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Offline Jen

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Re: Maybe it's not mites.
« Reply #7 on: June 24, 2014, 12:23:00 pm »
Hi Yankee, this is a nice explaination of EFB and AFB. I had American FB 3 years ago, I brought this hive home from a dirty apiary. Unfortunately that hive went up in flames :(  Hope this helps  :)


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