Sorry to hear of the colony's troubles, Daniel. DON'T BURN it!! Since
there is no odor, there is a good chance you are not dealing with
foulbrood. Also, the colony was treated with antibiotics, so should not
have been susceptible.
I am interested to hear what the more experienced listers would have to
say, but would like to offer this: There are a number of infections that
will cause death of larvae, and this will of course lead to decomposition
of the brood. What you can end up with is the brown gobs you are seeing,
being just rotting larvae. Certain differences in symptoms can help you to
diagnose just what the particular problem might be.
Besides infection, there is the possibility of contaminated pollen as well,
which may have been collected & fed to the brood (laced with pesticide or
whatever).
Though I can't say what the problem is for sure, I would encourage you to
hold off on destroying the equipment(!) and try to locate someone who could
give them an experienced looking-over. There are certain options, such as
shaking the bees onto clean combs or foundation, then feeding them heavily,
etc.. I hope you can salvage them and turn the situation around. It
sounds like you have been very conscientious and thorough in caring for
them.
Best wishes,
J. Govostes Freeville, NY
>I have a single deep hive that was treated with Apistan, Grease Patty, 1
>treatment of T25 and sugar and also received a gal. of 2:to1: syrup with
>wintergreen last Fall.
>
> I checked it 2 weeks ago and it was building slow, today it is in decline
>with patches of sealed brood that did not look rite when you open them they
>have a thick light brown gob that was the larvae. It will pull out to about
>1/2 Inch, There is NO smell like AFB. We had 2 cold mornings down to 28F
>last week. There are eggs in open cells among the brood patches. Before I
>put the match to it does any one have any idea what this may be?
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