K>From: Kevin & Ann Christensen <[log in to unmask]>
 >Date:         Wed, 6 Mar 1996 18:40:38 -0700
 >Subject:      Chalkbrood Discusson
 
K>        For chalkbrood and nosema control, and to promote general good health
 >in our hives, we have been getting more diligent in our brood comb
 >replacement. We've been replacing 2-4 frames per brood nest every year with
 >the hope of maintaining a 6 year rotation of comb in the brood chambers.  We
 >feel that old frames harbor the spores which cause these unhealthy colonies.
 
K>        When your doing this to 2000+ hives, it requires lots of effort.
 >Because of this, I'd like to know if there is any scientific validity to my
 >argument.  Are we wasting our time?  Is anybody else doing this?  I'd
 >appreciate your comments.
 
Hello Kevin & Ann,
 
I suspect that this is a very worthwhile thing to do, if you have a
program to get rid, (sell, render) the old combs. From my own experience
I believe that those who keep drawing foundation and sell old combs,
such as in 4 frame nucs or singles have a edge on all disease control
and this could be because of the high percentage of new combs.
 
One observation I have made in investigations large so called mysterious
losses in bee operations pre and post mite invasions here in central
California is that all these operations had one thing in common. They
were in well established and successful beekeeping business that over
the years had acclimated much bee equipment that included mostly aged
dark brood combs. This is not to say that the beekeeper with all new
combs is not having the same problems, it just what I have seen in the
commercial operations, and my own.
 
K>        Note:  We have not treated for nosema in 20 years.  Have not noticed
 >                a problem.  Maybe I should take out the microscope!
 
   If you don't have a problem don't treat...Nosema spores can bee
identified using a child's microscope, and here the symptoms are colonies
in the spring that brood and build up but do not expand past a certain
level of population less then one would expect judging by other bees in
the area or your own experience. The yards that seem to be effected the
most are normally those in a cool, damp, or shady areas. These hives may
show some symptoms of spotting from "yellow rain", not the norm here
because we normally have fair or good flight conditions. Another symptom
may be hives that are 100% young bees because the older ones died
earlier then normal. They tend to stay that way for weeks at a time.
 
The control is to find a better bee yard or treat early before
brood rearing really gets going if possible. The spores are just about
everywhere and could be passed from contaminated bee watering areas.
Like keeping new combs, it would be nice to place your bees on different
sites each year, but not to practicable in most cases. Our bee's are not
potty trained and except for my new white truck have no particular area
that they relieve themselves on, and I am sure over the years many
problems develop for the bees because of this poor hygienic beehaviour
and the build up of many deleterious materials such as spores of one
thing or another.
 
If I had never treated for nosema, with today's honey price it may be
a good year to try it on half of your bees if you already have a bee
feeding program. The greatest increase in Honey Production demonstrated
in the original drug tests was in bees I would have expected not to be
effected by nosema, and I am sure the beekeeper in the arid desert of
Arizona was also pleasantly surprised, first at having nosema, and 2nd
at the increased honey crop he produced when he treated for it.
 
Chalkbrood is another story, that since there is no control I will
leave it for another post.
                                 ttul
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