Parasites, disease and illness

As beekeepers we are solely responsible for ensuring that the bees in our care are healthy and disease free. As sustainable beekeepers we are starting from a good place in that our care and husbandry practices do little to stress the bees. The less stressed they are, the more resilient they are to other health problems.

However, just like us, bees naturally suffer from various maladies. Unfortunately for them, man's past greed in trying to find the best production bee, has added to their natural problems by spreading exotic illnesses and parasites around the globe.

It is therefore incumbent on us as beekeepers to learn how to recognise health problems and seek advice and help whenever problems are suspected; to always err on the side of caution. Though the problems are many the resources available to hep exist.

Whilst it is beyond the scope of this website to provide the necessary, the following does outline some of the challenges and points you in the direction of further help. YABeeP also provides support to members – a first point of contact.

This section is currently under development:

Parasites

• Varroa mite
• Tropilaelaps

Diseases

• Foul Brood: European & American - serious 'notifiable' bee diseases which are subject to statutory controls in the UK.
• Nosema - What is Nosema ceranae and how do you test for it? (590 Kb Download)
• Chalkbrood -

Illnesses

• Dysentery
• Starvation

Invaders

• Mice
• Wax moth
• Small hive beetle - although not yet in the UK a problem to watch.

Sources of Help and Advice

• The National Bee Unit
• Wikipedia - Diseases of the honey bee