This table describes all of the main honeybee diseases and pests. Some, like the Bee Louse and Small Hive Beetle, are not yet a problem in the Inland Northwest. Clicking on “photos” will open up a new window with excellent photos from Zachary Huang of Michigan State University.
Disease/Pest | Cause | Symptom/Effect | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chalkbrood | Fungus Ascophera apis photos | Mummified larvae White or black | None registered |
| Nosema | Protozoan Nosema apis photos | Dysentery, reduced lifespan reduced ability to feed larvae | Fumagillin |
| American Foulbrood (AFB) | Bacteria Paenibacillus larvae | Dead larvae/pupae on back, extended tongues, “ropy” condition, dried brittle scales, sunken cappings | Terramycin Burn infected frames |
| European Foulbrood (EFB) | Bacteria Melissococcus pluton | Dead larvae all positions, slight ropiness, rubbery scales, sour smell | None registered break in brood cycle |
| Tracheal mites | Acarapis woodi photos | Spring crawling, k-wings, reduced adult longevity, colonies die in early spring, microscopic examination | Menthol Formic gel |
| Varroa mites | Varroa jacobsoni photos | Visible mites, deformed wings, reduced longevity, colonies die any time, PMS (parasitic mite syndrome) | Fluvalinate, Coumaphos, Formic gel, Sugar ester |
| Sacbrood, Paralysis, etc | Various viruses photos | Various, shiny black, trembling, larvae become sacs of fluid, reduced life span of adults | None registered |
| Small Hive Beetle (SHB) | Aethina tumida photos | Larvae destroy combs, feed on pollen/honey, adults in hive, pupae in soil | Section 18 Coumaphos |
| Wax Moths | Galleria mellonella & Achroia grisella photos | Visible damage, cocoons, moths, galleriasis | Strong colonies Stored equipment may be treated with paradichlorobenzene, freezing, carbon dioxide |
| Bee Louse | Braula coeca photos | Larval tunnels under wax, adults on bees, especially queens | None registered, but Fluvalinate kills them |
| Stone brood | Aspergillus sp. | Larvae and pupae turn into hard stone — like mummies | no treatment |
| Skunks | — | Scratched entrance boards, dwindling population | Skunk Boards |
| Mice | — | Mice in hives, comb destruction | Mouse entrance guards |