Bees not taking syrup and/or medication is one of the symptoms listed by the
Spanish for N. ceranae. Its also a heads symptom up that I pay particular
attention to with respect to CCD. If your bees go off feed, don't be
surprised if you soon have problems. The Spanish report having trouble medicating
bees, once this happens. I've heard of some beekeepers drenching bees (which I
believe is off label). My question - if the bees are so far gone that they
refuse feed, will drenching help? Or, is it too late? I don't know the
answer to this one.
I suspect that this is part of the explanation for why we so often see
excess stores in CCD colonies.
Whether N. ceranae is part of CCD is debatable, but we see a lot of it in
CCD operations.
Finally, whatever is going on, it seems like the bees respond the same way
as you and I to stomach flu. Don't know about you, but I go off my feed when
my stomach acts up.
Jerry
**************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides.
(http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016)
****************************************************
* General Information About BEE-L is available at: *
* http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/default.htm *
****************************************************