Colony collapse disorder (CCD) has been reported in the USA and it continues to be under investigation. It is not clear what causes it yet but it does seem that there may be more than one cause. CCD is not to be confused with varroa, a mite that is a bee parasite.
1Look for a major or complete desertion of the colony by all adult bees over a short period of time. The period may be hours or days.
2Look for bees. If bees have been killed by something toxic or by something in the hive, they will still be present.
3Check for the queen. She will often still be present with a very reduced number of workers.
4Check for another colony moving in. With CCD, this is unlikely to happen (robber bees). There may also be an unusual delay before wax moths invade the dead colony.
|Here are some organic solutions suggested for dealing with CCD.|
- A current theory is that a combination of Nosema ceranae and certain pesticides may be the cause of CCD. Keep reading the scientific updates to learn more as the research community continues to find out more information.
Things You'll Need
- Beekeeping outfit to protect as you check the hives
Sources and Citations
- Claire and Adrian Waring, Haynes Bee Manual, (2011), ISBN 978-0-85733-057-4, p. 148 – research source