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 [log in to unmask] (c) Permission is granted to freely copy this document in electronic form, or to print for personal use. (w)Opinions are not necessarily facts. Use at own risk. --- ~ QMPro 1.53 ~ ... Which a bee would choose to dream in.