George Clarkson says:
>I have a colony that went into winter weak - probably too weak - and is
still
experiencing problems.  I am wondering if anyone on the list has any ideas. I
will give some background first:  This colony struggled all the last two
years
and never really built up.  It was requeened last spring.  I treated them
with
Apistan last spring and fall and with teramycin last fall.
 
>On a recent mild day I inspected them and found them even weaker - only
about
three frames of bees.  I noticed some capped brood that had holes in the
cappings.  I opened a few and there was a light brown to grey liquid inside.
 It
had a thick consistency, but not gooey.  It had a bad smell, but I had to put
it
directly to my nose to smell it.  No particularly bad odor was coming from
the
hive, though.  The queen was present and was laying in a small pattern.
 
>Any ideas of what I might be experiencing?
 
 
  It sounds suspiciously like American Foulbrood.  Put a toothpick into the
goo and see if it strings out as you slowly draw it away.  Other (less likely
according to your description) possibilities: European foulbrood, chalkbrood,
parasitic mite syndrome, chilled brood, etc.
 
   Or better yet, get the state inspector, Mike Hood,
 ([log in to unmask]) to look at it and advise.
 
    If it is AFB, you need to take care of it.  They are about due to get
robbed out by other bees, and that's the main way it spreads. Until you can
take care of it, keep the entrance reduced so they can defend against
robbers. Wash your hands and tools after handling it, if it is AFB.  Gloves
can carry AFB too, so don't wear them, if you can.
 
[log in to unmask]                              Dave Green
Eastern Pollinator Newsletter,   PO Box 1215, Hemingway, SC 29554