1 
 
 ! 
 
 
 3 1924 062 872 332 
 
 DATE DUE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 GAYLORD 
 
 
 
 PRINTED IN USA 
 
 ALBERT R. MANN 
 LIBRARY 
 
 AX 
 
 CORNELL UNIVERSITY 
 
 EVERETT FRANKLIN PHILLIPS 
 BEEKEEPING LIBRARY 
 
Issued May 6, 1911 
 
 U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
 
 FARMERS' BULLETIN 442. 
 
 THE TREATMENT OF BEE DISEASES. 
 
 BY 
 
 E. F. PHILLIPS, Ph. D., 
 In Chat'ge of Bee Culture^ Bureau of Entomology. 
 
 442 
 
 WASHINGTON: 
 
 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
 
 1911, 
 
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 
 
 U. S. Department of Agriculture, 
 
 Bureau of Entomology, 
 Washington, D. C., February %k, 1911. 
 Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a manuscript entitled 
 " The Treatment of Bee Diseases," by E. F. Phillips, Ph. D., in charge 
 of bee culture in this bureau. In the preparation of this paper, 
 which is intended to supersede Circular 79, of this bureau, the aim 
 has been to give briefly the information needed by the beekeeper 
 who Jias disease in his apiary. Ko discussion of the cause or distri- 
 budon of these diseases has been included. I recommend the publica- 
 tion of this paper as a Farmers' Bulletin. 
 
 EespectfuUv, 
 
 ^ L. O. Howard, 
 
 Entomologist and Chief of Bureau. 
 
 Hon. James Wilson, 
 
 Secretary of Agriculture. 
 
 442 
 2 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Introduction 5 
 
 The brood diseases of bees 5 
 
 Nature of the diseases 7 
 
 Names of the diseases 7 
 
 Symptoms 8 
 
 Ameiican foul brood 8 
 
 European foul brood 10 
 
 The so-called *' pickle brood " 12 
 
 Brood dead of other causes 12 
 
 " Bald-headed brood " 12 
 
 Methods of spread 12 
 
 Precautionary measures 13 
 
 Treatment for both infectious diseases 13 
 
 Shaking treatment 14 
 
 Time of treatment 14 
 
 Preparation 14 
 
 Operation 14 
 
 Saving the healthy brood 16 
 
 Saving the wax 16 
 
 Cleaning the hive 16 
 
 Disposal of the honey 17 
 
 The second shake 17 
 
 The cost of shaking 17 
 
 Treatment with bee escape 17 
 
 Fall treatment 18 
 
 Drugs 18 
 
 Treatment for European foul brood 18 
 
 Introduction of Italian stock 19 
 
 Dequeening 19 
 
 In&pection of apiaries 19 
 
 Examination of samples of diseased brood 20 
 
 The diseases of adult bees 20 
 
 Dysentery 20 
 
 The so-called paralysis 21 
 
 Isle of Wight disease 21 
 
 Spring dwindling 21 
 
 Publications of the Department of Agriculture on bee diseases 22 
 
 442 
 
 3 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 Page 
 
 Fig. 1. Work of the larger wax motli 6 
 
 2. American foul brood 8 
 
 3. The ropiness of Araerican foul brood 9 
 
 4. American foul-brood comb 9 
 
 5. European foul brood 11 
 
 6. Apparatus for the shaking treatment 15 
 
 7. Gasoline torch 16 
 
 442 
 
THE TREATMENT OF BEE DISEASES. 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The diseases which attack the honey bee may be divided into two 
 classes, namely, those affecting the brood and those to which the 
 adult bees are subject. The diseases of adult bees have not been in- 
 vestigated sufficiently to make it possible at the present time to recom- 
 mend methods for their treatment. In the present bulletin, therefore, 
 only a brief statement concerning these diseases will be made, mainly 
 for the purpose of indicating the present s+ate of knowledge on these 
 subjects. Concerning the diseases of the brood more is known, and 
 this is particularly fortunate since they are far more destructive in 
 American apiaries than are the diseases of the adult bees. 
 
 The causes of bee diseases will not be discussed here. For informa- 
 tion on this phase of the subject the reader is referred to other pub- 
 lications of the Bureau of Entomology, which are listed at the end of 
 this bulletin. The aim of this bulletin is to give information that 
 can be used by the practical beekeeper in combating bee diseases. 
 
 THE BROOD DISEASES OE BEES. 
 
 The brood diseases of the honey bee are already widely distributed 
 in the United States and seem to be spreading rather rapidly. The 
 loss to the beekeepers of the country, owing to the actual death of 
 colonies by disease, is estimated conservatively at $1,000,000 annually. 
 This does not include the loss of crops, resulting from the destruction 
 of colonies, or the discouragement to the beekeeper which often 
 causes him to give up the business. A considerable part of this loss 
 is due to the indifference of the beekeepers to these diseases and a lack 
 of knowledge concerning them. 
 
 It frequently happens that colonies in an apiary become infected 
 before the owner realizes that disease is present. He may errone- 
 ously attribute the losses observed to some other cause. In this way 
 the disease gets a stait which makes eradication difficult when once 
 the cause of the loss has been discovered. In view of the widespread 
 distribution of these diseases, it is most desirable that all beekeepers 
 learn to distinguish the diseases when they appear and to know how 
 to keep them under control. 
 
 It is often a matter of surprise to beekeepers to learn that bees are 
 subject to disease. The most frequent source of confusion is the 
 4^2 5 
 
TREATMENT OF BEE DISEASES. 
 
 placing of the blame for loss of colonies on some cause other than 
 disease. The poorer class of beekeepers attribute their losses simply 
 to " bad luck," but even well-informed beekeepers err in this matter. 
 
 Fig. 1. — Work of the larger wax moth in a brood comb. (Original.) 
 
 The wax moths (see fig. 1) are most frequently blamed for the death 
 of colonies, whereas they do no damage to strong, healthy colonies, 
 properly cared for, but enter only when the colony is weakened by 
 queenlessness, lack of stores, disease, or some other cause. In the 
 
 442 
 
TxvEATMEisT OF BEE DISEASES. i 
 
 majority of the reports of wax-moth depredations received by this 
 department which can be investigated it is found that the trouble is 
 actually an outbreak of a brood disease. 
 
 The spraying of fruit trees while in bloom is possibly injurious to 
 bees, and there exists among beekeepers a strong feeling against the 
 practice. Since no entomologist now recommends that fruit trees be 
 sprayed during the blooming period, this is probably rarely done by 
 progressive fruit growers. However, it is frequently reported by 
 beekeepers that they are losing bees by poisoning due to spraying. 
 A number of cases of the death of colonies, reported as caused by 
 poisoning due to spraying while trees were in bloom, have been found 
 to be in reality outbreaks of European foul brood, which is particu- 
 larly prevalent in the spring and early summer. 
 
 Other circumstances to which is often attributed the death of brood 
 or of the colony are chilling, fumes from coke ovens, and malicious 
 poisoning. The wise attitude on the part of the beekeeper is j&rst to 
 suspect diseases as being the cause of any losses which he may sus- 
 tain, and to be sure that there is no infectious disease present before 
 looking elsewhere for a cause. 
 
 NATTJUE OF THE BISEASES. 
 
 There are two recognized infectious diseases of the brood of bees, 
 now known as American foul brood and European foul brood. Both 
 diseases weaken colonies by reducing the number of emerging bees 
 needed to replace the old adult bees which die from natural or other 
 causes. In neither case are adult bees affected, so far as known. The 
 means used by the beekeeper in deciding which disease is present is the 
 difference in the appearance of the larvse dead of the two diseases. 
 That the diseases are entirely distinct can not now be doubted, since 
 they show certain differences in the age of the larvse affected, in their 
 response to treatment, and in the appearance of the dead larvae. 
 This is made still more certain by a study of the bacteria present 
 in the dead larvae. Eeports are sometimes received that a colony 
 is infected with both diseases at the same time. Wliile this is pos- 
 sible, it is not by any means the rule, and such cases are usually 
 not authentically reported. There is no evidence that chilled or 
 starved brood develops into an infectious disease or that dead brood 
 favors the development of a disease. 
 
 ITAMES OE THE DISEASES. 
 
 The names American foul brood and European foul brood were 
 applied to these diseases by the Bureau of Entomology, of this de- 
 partment, to clear up the confusion in names which formerly existed. 
 By retaining the words " foul brood " in each name the disease- 
 inspection laws then in force could be interpreted as applying to 
 
 442 
 
TEE4TMEXT OF BEE DISEASES. 
 
 both diseases. These names ^ere in no way intended to designate 
 geographical di*^tribiition, <^ince both di'-eases did exist and do now 
 exi^t in both Europe and America, but ^^ere chosen primarily because 
 they were convenient and easily remembeied names. Their only 
 significance is in indicating where the di-^eases were first seriously 
 investigated. It was particularly desirable to change the name of 
 the disease now known as European foul brood, since " black brood " 
 entirelv fails to be descriptive and is misleading:. 
 
 SYMPTOMS. 
 
 The presence of a particular disease in a colony of bees can be 
 ascertained most reliably by a bacteriological examination, since the 
 s} mptoms are somewhat variable. It is possible, however, to describe 
 the usual manifestations of the diseases, and the usual differences, so 
 that the beekeeper can in most cases tell which disease is present. 
 
 American "Foul Brood. 
 
 American foul brood is frequently called simply "foul brood." 
 It usually shows itself in the larva just about the time that the larva 
 fills the cell and after it has ceased feeding and has begun pupation. 
 
 Fig 2 —American foul brood a, 6, f, normal sealed cells ; 
 e, ), sunken cappmgs, showing perforations, g, sunken 
 capping not perforated ; %, I, m, n, q, r, larvae affected by 
 disease , e, %, p, s, scales formed from dried-down larvae , 
 (J, 0, pupae afifeeted by disease Three times natural size 
 (Original ) 
 
 At this time it is sealed over in the comb (fig. 2, «, &, /). The first 
 indication of the infection is a slight brownish discoloration and 
 the loss of the well-rounded appearance of the normal larva (fig. 
 2, Z). At this stage the disease is not usually recognized by the bee- 
 
 4:4:2 
 
TKE4TMENT OF BEE DISE ISES. 
 
 9 
 
 keeper. The larva gradually sinks do^An in the cell and becomeb 
 darker in color (fig. 2, A, m) , and the po4erior end lies against the 
 bottom of the cell. Frequently the begmentation of the larva ib 
 clearly marked. By the time it has partially drjed down and has 
 became quite dark 
 brown (coffee col- 
 ored) the most 
 typical character- 
 istic of this disease 
 manifests itself. 
 If a match stick 
 
 or tooth-pick is in- ^^-•' 
 
 serted into the de- *"^- 
 
 caying mass and ^^^ '""^'^^ '"^^^^^^ ^^ ^'"^^^^^^^ '^^^ ^^^"^ ^^^^^^^"^ ^ 
 withdrawn the larval lemams adhere to it and are drawn out m a 
 thread (fig. 3), which sometimes extends for several inches before 
 breaking. This ropiness is the chief characteristic used by the bee- 
 keeper in diagnosing this disease. The larva continues to di^^ down 
 and gradually loses its ropiness until it finally becomes merely a 
 
 Fig. 4 — American foul biood comb, showing inegular patches of sunken Ctippmgs and scales 
 The position of the comb indicates the best way to view the scales (Original ) 
 
 scale on the lower side wall and base of the cell (fig. 2, e^ ^, s). The 
 scale formed by the dried-down larva adheres tightly to the cell and 
 can be removed with difficulty from the cell wall. The scales can 
 best be observed when the comb is held with the top inclined toward 
 the observer so that a bright light strikes the lower sicle wall (fig. 4). 
 83568'— Bull. 442—11 2 
 
10 TIlEirME^T or BEE DTSP: iSES. 
 
 A MHT characteristic and iibualiy penetrating odor is often x.otice- 
 able in the decaying huna^ Thi-^ ean peihaps bc^t be likened to the 
 odor of heated irhie. 
 
 The maioiitA of the Ihym^ which die of this disease are attacked 
 after being sealed m the cellb. The cappings are often entirely re- 
 moved by the bees, but when they aie left they usually become 
 sunken ( fig. 2.g.c.j) and frequently perforated (fig. 2, c, /) . As the 
 healtliy brood emerges the comb ^ho^b the scattered sunken cappings 
 cohering dead lar^a"^ (%. 4), giving it a characteiistic appearance. 
 
 Pupa^ also may die of this disease, in which case they, too, dry down 
 (fig, 2, Oj ^7), become rop} , and ha^e the characteristic odor and color. 
 The tongue frequently adheres to the upper side v^nll and often 
 remains there e\ en after the pupa has dried doAA n to a scale. Younger 
 unsealed lar^a^ are sometimes affected. Usually the disease attacks 
 only worker brood, but occasional cases are found in which queen 
 and drone biood are diseased. It is not certain that race of bees, 
 season, or climate ha^e any effect on the ^iiulence of this disease, 
 except that in waimer climates, where the breeding season is pro- 
 longed, the rapidity of de\ astation is more marked. 
 
 European Foul Brood- 
 European foul brood was formerly called " black brood " or " New 
 York bee disease.'' The name " black brood " was a poor one, for the 
 color of the dead brood is rarely black or even very dark brown. 
 European foul brood usually attacks the larva at an earlier stage of 
 its development than xlmerican foul brood and while it is still curled 
 up at the base of the cell (fig. 5, r), A small percentage of larvae 
 dies after capping, but sometimes quite young larvae are attacked (fig. 
 
 5, e, m). Sunken and perforated cajDpings are sometimes observed 
 just as in American foul brood (fig. 2, <?, g^ j). The earliest indication 
 of the disease is a slight yellow or gray discoloration and uneasy 
 movement of the larva in the celL The larva loses its well-rounded, 
 opaque appearance and becomes slightly translucent, so that the 
 trachese may become prominent (fig. 5, Z>), giving the larvae a clearly 
 segmented appearance. The larva is u.sually flattened against the 
 base of the cell, but may turn so that the ends of the larva are to the 
 rear of the cell (fig. 5, p)^ or may fall away from the base (fig. 5, 
 
 6, </, I) . Later the color changes to a decided yellow or gray and the 
 translucency is lost (fig. 5, q^ h). The yellow color may be taken as 
 the chief characteristic of this disease. The dead larva appears as a 
 moist, somewhat collapsed mass, giving the appearance of being 
 melted. When tlie remains have become almost dry (fig. 6, c) the 
 tracheae sometimes become conspicuous again, this time by retaining 
 their shape, while the rest of the body content dries around them. 
 Finally all that is left of the larva is a grayish-brown scale against 
 
 442 
 
TKEVTMENT OF BEE DISEVSES. 
 
 
 tlie base of the cell (fig. 5, /, h), or a shapeless nia«s on the lower side 
 wall if the larva did not retain its normal position (fig. 5, ?t, o). 
 Very few scales are black. The ^-cales are not adhehi\ e, but are easily 
 remoA ed, and the bees carry out a great many in their efforts to clean 
 house. 
 
 Decaying larvae which have died of this disease are usually not 
 ropy as in American foul brood, but a slight ropiness is sometimes 
 observed. There is u-^^ually little odor in Euroj^ean foul brood, but 
 sometimes a sour odor is present, \Ahich reminds one of yeast fer- 
 mentation. This di^ea^^e attacks drone and queen lar\ m ^ almost as 
 quickly as those of the ^^ orkers. 
 
 Fig 5 — Euiopean foul biood a, ^^ L, normal sealed cells; 
 1), c, d, e, q^ I, I, m, p, Qj larv£e affected by disease ; t , nar- 
 mal laiva at age attacked by disease , /, h, n, o, dried down 
 larvae or scales Three times natural size (Original ) 
 
 European foul brood is more destructive during the spring and 
 early summer than at other times, often entirely disappearing during 
 late summer and autumn, or during a heavy honey flow. Italian bees 
 seem to be better able to resist the ravages of this disease than any 
 other race. The disease at times spreads with startling rapidity and 
 5s most destructive. "Wliere it is prevalent a considerably larger per- 
 centage of colonies is affected than is usual for American foul brood. 
 This disease is very variable in its symptoms and other manifesta- 
 tions and is often a puzzle to the beekeeper. 
 
 ^The tendency of this disease to attack queen larvie is a serious drawback m tr^at 
 
 ment Frequently the bees of a diseased colony attempt to supersede their queen, but 
 
 the larvai in the queen cells often die, leaving the colony hopelessly queenless. The 
 colony is thus depleted very rapidly 
 
12 TREiTMEXT OF BEE DISEASES. 
 
 The So-Called '^ Pickle Brood." 
 
 In addition to the two infeciioii- diseases just described, brood 
 dead from other canoes is often ob^er\ed. The mo'-t common disease 
 of tliis kind is what i^ kno\Mi among beekeepers as "" pickle brood." 
 This name is '-eemiiigh applied to a great many different appear- 
 ances and nothing i^ kno^ui of the canse or methods of spread. The 
 most typical form kills the larva when it has extended itself in 
 the cell. The Ian a iibiiallT lies on it^ back with the head turned 
 upward. The color varies, but is frequently light yellow or brown, 
 and the head i^ often almo-t black. The body is swollen and the 
 contents watery, and the head may be quite hard. There is no 
 ropine^'^. In case the larva^ are sealed before d^^ing the cappings 
 are u'-ualh normal. The name usually applied to this condition was 
 unwisely chosen, and for the present and until more is known con- 
 cerning the di«ea*-e it is spoken of as the '' so-called pickle brood." 
 
 This trouble does not appear to be infectious and is usually not 
 serious, except that in the aggregate it may cause loss by weakening 
 colonies. Xo tieatment is necessary, as the trouble usually soon dis- 
 appear'^. The most venous aspect of this disease is that it is often 
 mistaken for one of the infectious diseases, and the colony is need- 
 lessly treated. 
 
 Brood dead of other causes. 
 
 Many different external factors may cause brood to die. If brood 
 is killed by chilling in the spring or fall, or by overheating in ex- 
 tremely hot weather, or in shipping colonies of bees, or by starvation. 
 the lobS is often mistakenly attributed to an infectious disease. Such 
 dead brood is soon removed by the bees. IVhen the cause is removed 
 the trouble then soon disappears. "\'\Tien a considerable quantity of 
 brood is killed a disagreeable odor is usually present. 
 
 " Bald-headed brood." 
 
 It sometimes happens that unsealed or only partially sealed pupae, 
 known as "bald-headed brood," are observed in the hive, and fre- 
 quently beginners mistake such a condition for disease. The par- 
 tially built capping is often mistaken for the punctured capping of 
 American foul brood. If, on examination, the pupse are normal no 
 fear need be entertained. 
 
 METHOBS OF SPHEAB. 
 
 Both American foul brood and European foul brood spread from 
 colony to colony and from apiary to apiary in much the same way. 
 The common means of carrying the virus is in honey which has be- 
 come contaminated. The disease may be carried when bees rob a 
 hive in which a colony has died of disease or may be transmitted by 
 
 442 
 
tee\tme:nt of bee diseases. 13 
 
 the use of honey from diseased colonies for feeding beeb. It is not 
 always nece-^arv that bees be intentionally fed for them to sret dis- 
 ease from contaminated honey. Discarded honey receptacle*- "\\hich 
 have contained honey from a contaminated colony, if not thoroii2:hly 
 cleaned, may contain enough honey to carry di'-ea^e to a healthy 
 apiaiy. This may occur in the yicinity of bakerie-- or confectionery 
 shops, or may e\en occur ^^hen empty honey bottles are thrown out 
 from priA^ate houses. It is al^o possible to introduce di=^ea«e into a 
 colony in introducing queen bees purchased from a distance, probably 
 due to the use of contaminated honey in making the candy to supply 
 the queen cages. 
 
 Precautionary Measures. 
 
 In combating diseases it is much better to prevent disease from 
 getting a foothold than it is to eradicate it after it has begun its 
 work. All beekeepers, wherever located, should piactice the fol- 
 lowing precautionary measure^: 
 
 (1) If a colony becomes weak from any cause, or if disease is 
 suspected, contract the entrance to prevent robbing, and if robbing 
 is imminent close the entrance entirely. 
 
 (2) Never feed honey pvrchased on the open Tnarhet. In case of 
 doubt as to the source of honey feed sugar sirup. 
 
 (3) If within the range of possibility, see that no honey that comes 
 from diseased apiaries is sold in the neighborhood. This inay some- 
 times be accomplished by cultivating the home market so that there 
 will be no incentive for bringing in other honey. 
 
 (4) In introducing purchased queens, transfer them to clean cages 
 provided with candy known to be free from contamination, and 
 destroy the old cage, candy, and accompanying workers. Of course,, 
 if it is certain that the queen comes from a healthy apiary this is not 
 necessary. 
 
 4/ 
 
 (5) Colonies of bees should never be purchased unless it is cer- 
 tain that they are free from disease. 
 
 (6) The purchase of old combs or second-hand supplies is dan- 
 gerous, unless it is certain that they came from healthy apiaries. 
 
 TREATMENT EOR BOTH INEECTIOTJS DISEASES. 
 
 The treatment of an infectious bee disease consists primarily in the 
 elimination or removal of the cause of the disease. It is definitely 
 known that American foul brood is caused by a bacillus named 
 Bacillus lav'Dfe. In treating this disease, therefore, the aim of the 
 manipulation is to remove or destroy all of the bacteria of this 
 species. It should be remembered that the effort is not to save the 
 larvae that are already dead or dying, but to stop the further de- 
 
 442 
 
14 TREiT:MEXT or BEE DT-^E\SES. 
 
 rastatioii of the di«=ea-e by ieiiio\iiig all material capable of trans- 
 mitting the caii^e of the tioiible. 
 
 The caube of European fuiil brood i- not definitely known, but the 
 same prineipleb of treatment doubtless apply in this disease also. 
 In all of the operations great pains 4ioukl be taken not to spread the 
 disease throush carelessne=^s. After handling a diseased colony the 
 hands of the operator should be washed with water to remove any 
 honey that may be on them. It does not pay to treat colonies, that 
 are considerably weakened by disease. In case there are several 
 such colonies they should be united to form strong, vigorous colonies 
 before or during treatment. 
 
 In discussing treatment it is assumed that hives with movable 
 
 fi'ames are in use. Box hives are a menace in regions where disease 
 
 is present. The-e may be treated for disease by drumming the colon}^ 
 
 into another box and then hiving it like a swarm in a hive, but box 
 
 hives are not profitable and are C'^pecially to be condemned where 
 
 disease is present on account of the difficulty in inspecting and 
 
 treating. 
 
 Shaking' Treatment. 
 
 The shaking: treatment consists essentially in the removal of all 
 infected material from the colony, and in compelling the colony to 
 take a fresh start hj building new combs and gathering fresh stores. 
 This is done by shaking the bees from the old combs into a clean hive 
 on clean frames. 
 
 Time of treatment. — ^The shaking treatment should be given during 
 a flow of honey, so that other bees in the apiary will not be inclined 
 to rob. If this is not possible the operation may be performed under 
 a tent made of mosquito netting. The best time is during the middle 
 of a clear day when a large number of bees are in the field. It is 
 sometimes recommended that shaking be done in the evening, but 
 this is impossible if many colonies are to be treated. The colony 
 can be handled more quickly when the field force is out of the hive. 
 
 Preparation. — All implements that will be needed, such as queen 
 and drone trap, hive tool, and lighted smoker, should be in readiness 
 before the operation is begun. A complete clean hive with frames 
 is provided, as well as a tightly closed hive body in which to jout the 
 contaminated combs after shaking. An extra hive cover or some 
 similar apparatus should be provided to serve as a runway for the 
 bees as they enter the new hive. The new frames should contain 
 strips of comb foundation from one-fourth to 1 inch wide. Full 
 sheets are not desirable, and if combs built on full sheets of founda- 
 tion are desired they may be built later. 
 
 Operation. — The old hive containing the diseased colony (fig. 6, A) 
 is now lifted to one side out of the flight of returning field bees 
 and the clean hive (B) set exactly in its place. The cover (6^) is 
 
 442 
 
TBEITMEXT OF BEE DISLVfeES. 15 
 
 now taken off and a fe\\ frameb (E) removed from the center of the 
 hive. If mispaced frames are ii^ed. tho^e remaining in the hive 
 should be pubhed tightly to either 4de of the hive, tliua making a 
 barrier beyond which the bees can not crawl a^ they move to the top 
 of the hive after 4iakinff. This largely prevents them from setting 
 on the ontside of the hive. If self-spacing frames are used, a couple 
 of thin boards laid on the top bars on either ^ide ^^ ill accomplish the 
 same result. The runway {D) i^ put in place in front of the entrance. 
 The old hive is now opened for the fir-t time. The frames are 
 removed one at a time, lowered jiart way into the new hive, and with 
 a quick downward shake the bees are dislodged. The frames are 
 then put into the extra hive body (C) and immediately covered to 
 prevent robbing. After all the frames are shaken the bees remaining 
 on the sides of the old hive (A) are shaken out. 
 
 Fig 6 — Appaiatus for the shaking treatment • A., Hive containing diseased colony (for- 
 merly m position of B) ; B, clean liivo , C, emptj hive to receive combs after shaking; 
 Dj hive covei used as lunway, E, fiames lemoved fiom B to give loom for shaking; 
 JPj queen and drone trap, Q, covei tor clean hive, B (Original ) 
 
 If honey is coming in fi^eely, so that thin honey is shaken out of 
 the combs, cover the runway {D) with newspapers and shake the bees 
 in front of the new hive (5), leaving all frames in place and the 
 cover on. After the operation the soiled newspapers should be de- 
 stroyed. In shaking in front of the entrance the first one or two 
 frames should be so shaken that the bees are thrown again, t the 
 entrance, where they can locate the hive quickly. They thei fan 
 their wings and the others follow them into the hive. If this is 
 not done the bees may wander about and get under the hive or in 
 some other undesirable place. 
 
 After the bees are mostly in the new hive a queen and drone trap 
 {F) or a strip of perforated zinc is placed over the entrance to 
 prevent the colony from deserting the hive. The queen can not 
 pass through the openings in the perforated zinc and the workers 
 will not leave without her. By the time that new combs are built 
 and new brood is ready to be fed, any contaminated honey carried 
 by the bees into their new hive will have been consumed and the 
 
 442 
 
16 
 
 TREVTMEXT UF BEE DI^EAfaLb. 
 
 disease will rarel} reappear. If it hlioiikl. a repotition of the treat- 
 ment will be neceatary. 
 
 Saving tlie healthy brood. — The old combs are now quickly removed. 
 If several colonies are being treated at one time it may pay to stack 
 several hi\e bodies containing contaminated combs over a weak 
 diseased colony to allow most of the healthy brood to emerge, thereby 
 strengthening the weak colony. After 10 or 12 days this colony is 
 treated in turn and all the combs rendered into wax. If only one 
 or two colonies in a large apiary are being treated it will not pay to 
 
 do this. 
 
 Saving the wax. — Any but a very small apiary should have in- 
 cluded in its equipment a wax press for removing wax from old 
 combs. After the contaminated frames are taken to the honey house 
 
 the combs should be kept carefully 
 covered, so that no bees can reach 
 them until the wax can be ren- 
 deied. This should not be de- 
 layed very long or the combs may 
 be ruined by wax moths. The 
 slumgum or refuse remaining 
 after the w^ax is removed should 
 be burned. Contaminated combs 
 should not be put into a solar wax 
 extractor for fear of spreading the 
 disease. The wax from contami- 
 nated combs may safely be used 
 for the manufacture of comb 
 foundation. 
 
 Cleaning the hive. — The hive 
 w^hich has contained the diseased 
 colony should be thoroughly 
 cleaned of all wax and honey, and it is desirable that it be care- 
 fully disinfected by burning out the inside with a gasoline blue- 
 fiame torch (fig. 7). If this piece of apparatus is not available 
 several hive bodies may be piled together on a hive bottom and 
 some gasoline or kerosene poured on the sides and on some straw 
 or excelsior at the bottom. This is then ignited and after burn- 
 ing for a few seconds a close-fitting hive cover 'is placed on top 
 of the pile to extinguish the flames. The inside of the hive bodies 
 should be charred Lo a light brown. The careful cleaning and dis- 
 infection of frames always costs considerably more in labor than 
 new frames would cost, but these also may be carefully cleaned and 
 used again. Frames may be cleaned by boiling in water for about 
 half an hour, but this frequently causes them to warp badly. The 
 disinfection of hives and frames with chemicals is not recommended, 
 as the ordinary strengths used are valueless for the purpose, 
 
 442 
 
 Fig. 7. — Gasoline torch (Original ) 
 
TEEATMENT OF BEE DISEASES. 17 
 
 Bisposal of the honey. — If there is n considerable quantity of honey 
 m the contaminated combs it may be extracted. This honey is not 
 safe to feed to bees without boiling, but it is absolutely safe for human 
 consumption. If there is a comparatively small quantity it may be 
 consumed in the beekeeper's family, care being taken that none of it 
 is placed so that the bees can ever get it. 
 
 To put such honey on the market is contrary to law in some States. 
 There is always danger that an emptied receptacle will be thrown 
 out w^here bees can have access to it, thus causing a new outbreak of 
 disease. It can be safely used for feeding to bees, provided it is 
 diluted w^ith at least an equal volume of water to prevent burning, 
 and boiled in a closed vessel for not less than one-half hour, count- 
 ing from the time that the diluted honey first boils vigorously. The 
 honey will not be sterilized if it is heated in a vessel set inside of 
 another containing boiling w^ater. Boiled honey can not be sold as 
 honey. It is good only as a food for bees, and even then should 
 never be used for winter stores, as it will probably cause dysentery. 
 
 The second shake. — Some beekeepers prefer to shake the bees first 
 onto frames containing strips of foundation as above described, and 
 in four days to shake the colony a second time onto full sheets of 
 foundation, destroying all comb built after the first treatment. 
 This insures better combs than the use of strips of foundation, but is 
 a severe drain on the strength of the colony. Since it is desirable to 
 have combs built on full sheets, the best policy is to replace any ir- 
 regular combs with full sheets of foundation or good combs later in 
 the season. 
 
 The cost of shaking. — If the treatment just described is given at the 
 beginning of a good honey flow, it is practically equivalent to arti- 
 ficial swarming and results in an actual increase in the surplus honey, 
 especially in the case of comb-honey production. The wax rendered 
 from the combs will sell for enough to pay for the foundation used 
 if full sheets of foundation are employed. Since a colony so treated 
 actually appears to work with greater vigor than a colony not so 
 manipulated, the cost of treatment is small. If treatment must be 
 given at some other time, so that the colony must be fed, the cost is 
 materially increased. In feeding, it is best to use sugar sirup, or 
 honey that is known to have come from healthy colonies. 
 
 Treatment with Bee Escape. 
 
 As a substitute for the shaking treatment just described, the bees 
 may be removed from their old combs by means of a bee escape. The 
 old hive is moved to one side and in its place is set a clean hive with 
 clean frames and foundation. The queen is at once transferred to 
 the new hive and the field bees fly there on their return from the 
 
 442 
 

 TREATMENT OF BEE DISEASES. 
 
 field. The infected hive ih now placed on top of or close beside the 
 
 clean hive and a bee ebcape placed over the entrance, so that the 
 
 younger bees and those which later emei'ge from the cells may leave 
 
 the contaminated hive but can not return. They therefore join the 
 
 colony in the new hive. If desired, the infected hive may be placed 
 
 above the clean hive and a tin tube about 1 inch in diameter placed 
 
 jfrom the old entrance so that the lower end is just above the open 
 
 entrance of the new hive. The bees follow down this tube and on 
 
 their return enter the new hive. ^'\T:ien all of the health}'^ brood has 
 
 emerged from the infected combs the old hive is removed. This 
 
 treatment induces less excitement in the apiary and is preferred by 
 
 many experienced beekeepers. Care should be taken that the old 
 
 hive is absolutely tight to prevent robbing. The old hive and its 
 
 contents of honey and wax are treated as indicated under the shak- 
 
 ing^ treatment. 
 
 IFaU Treatment. 
 
 If it is necessary to treat a colony so late in the fall that it would 
 be impossible for the bees to prepare for winter, the treatment may 
 be modijfied by shaking the bees onto combs entirely full of honey 
 so that there is no place for any brood to be reared. This will usually 
 be satisfactory only after brood rearing has entirely ceased. Unless 
 a colony is quite strong it does not pay to treat in the fall, but it 
 should be destroyed or united to another colony. In case a diseased 
 colony dies outdoors in the winter there is danger that other bees 
 may have opportunity to rob the hive before the beekeepers can close 
 the entrance. In case bees are wintered in the cellar it is more ad- 
 visable to risk wintering before treatment, for if the colony does die 
 the hive will not be robbed. 
 
 Drugs. 
 
 Many European writers have in the past advocated the use of 
 various drugs for feeding, in sugar sirup, to diseased colonies, or the 
 fumigation of contaminated combs. In the case of American foul 
 brood, of which the cause is known, it has been found that the drugs 
 recommended are not of the slightest value and no time should be 
 wasted in their use. 
 
 TREATMENT FOR. EUROPEAlSr EOXJX BROOD. 
 
 European foul brood is a very peculiar disease and its cause has 
 not yet been satisfactorily determined. It is, therefore, impossible to 
 discuss the treatment of this disease as definitely as that of American 
 foul brood. From the experience of many careful beekeepers it is, 
 however, possible to suggest some additional manipulations which 
 may be tried by experienced beekeepers. The treatments given pre- 
 viously are strongly recommended for this disease. 
 
TEEATMENT OF BEE DISEASES. 19 
 
 Introduction of Italian Stock. 
 
 Since, as stated previoiislj' (p. 11), Italian bees «eem to be better 
 able to withstand European foul brood than are other races, it is 
 recommended that apiaries in regions where this disease is prevalent 
 be requeened with young, vigorous Italian queens of good stock. 
 This should be done whether or not the shaking treatment is given. 
 
 Bequeening. 
 
 It has been found that the removal of the queen and the keeping 
 of the colony queenless for a period often results in the disappearance 
 of European foul brood. The length of time that this should be done 
 is in dispute. Mr. E. W. Alexander, who advocated this method,^ 
 recommended that the colony be kept queenless (by cutting out all 
 queen cells at the end of 9 days) for a period of 20 days, at which 
 time a cell containing a queen of Italian stock ready to emerge is to 
 be given the colony. The young queen will thus begin to lay in about 
 27 days after the old queen has been removed, or in at lea^^t 3 days 
 after the last of the drone brood has emerged. Other writers have 
 advocated a shorter time. 
 
 The dequeening treatment is not always successful, and it is there- 
 fore recommended that care be exercised in trying it. Since there is 
 a considerable percentage of successful results, this would indicate 
 that there is an important principle involved. It should not be for- 
 gotten, however, that European foul brood often disappears in the 
 late summer of its own accord if the case is not severe (p. 11), and it 
 is probable that in many of the cases of dequeening reported as suc- 
 cessful the disease would have disappeared without the treatment. 
 This treatment is sus^^ested only for the experienced beekeeper. 
 
 INSPECTIOlSr OIF APIARIES. 
 
 Several States have passed laws providing for the inspection of 
 apiaries for contagious disease and creating the office of apiary 
 inspector. The men holding these offices are usually practical bee- 
 keepers, capable of giving excellent advice regarding disease, and 
 it is desirable, when disease exists in a community, that the owners 
 of apiaries take steps to learn who the inspector is and to notify 
 him of the existence of disease. Tlie Bureau of Entomology of this 
 department can usually give information concerning the inspector 
 and is always glad to be of service in bringing the beekeepers and 
 inspectors in touch with one another. 
 
 Apiary inspection has proved beneficial to the beekeeping industry 
 in spreading information concerning the nature, symptoms, and 
 
 1 Alexander, E W.~How to rid your apiary of black brood. Gleanings in Bee Culture, 
 vol. 33, pp 1125-1127, 1905. 
 442 
 
20 TREATMENT OP BEE DISEASES. 
 
 treatment of the contagious diseases and particularly in compelling 
 negligent and carelc:!- beekeepers to treat their diseased colonieb. It 
 ib quite po^-'-ible for the individual beekeeper to clean up his own 
 apiarv by following the directions given in this bulletin, but unless 
 all of the beekeepers in the neighborhood do the ^ame thing there 
 will probabl}' be a recurrence of the tiouble clue to infection from 
 outside apiarie«==. It is therefore manifestly to the advantage of the 
 beekeepers that they cooperate with the inspectors in the fight against 
 diseases. 
 
 EXAMIlSrATIOlSr OF SAMPLES OF DISEASED BKOOD. 
 
 The Bureau of Entomology of this department is prepared to 
 assist in the diagnosis of disease in cases where the beekeeper is 
 unable to tell whether or not disease is present, or to determine which 
 disease i^ in his apiary. Samples of brood comb about 5 inches 
 square containing diseased or dead larvse should be ^ent by mail 
 in a strong wooden or tin box. The comb should not be wrapped in 
 paper or cotton, but should be cut to fit the box closely. It is not 
 possible to diagnose from empty combs, and no honey should be 
 included in the sample, as it is valueless in diagnosis and will prob- 
 ably spoil the sample as well as other mail matter. The name of the 
 sender must always appear on the package, and any available data 
 should be sent in a separate letter. Never inclose a letter in the box 
 with the sample. 
 
 THE DISEASES OE ADULT BEES. 
 
 The diseases affecting adult bees are but imperfectly known. At 
 present four are known to beekeepers by name. Whether these are 
 entirely distinct or whether under each name one or more diseases are 
 included is not known. As stated in the introduction, these diseases 
 have not been sufficiently investigated to give much help to the 
 practical beekeeper, 
 
 DTSENTEBY. 
 
 Dysentery affects bees only in the winter and is manifested by a 
 distension of the abdomen, due to an accumulation of fecal matter 
 in the intestine. "When a day warm enough for flight occurs the 
 bees fly from the hive to cleanse themselves, and the hive and sur- 
 roundings are spotted with yellow excreta. After a good cleansing 
 flight the trouble usually disappears, but if the bees are unable to fly 
 they often die in great numbers. It is generally believed that dysen- 
 tery is due to improper winter stores, the honey containing too high 
 a percentage of indigestible matter. Honeydew honey almost always 
 produces dysentery, while bees wintered on high-class honey or sugar 
 sirup are not affected. From the wide experience of many bee- 
 
 442 
 
TREATMENT OF BEE DISE4.SES. 21 
 
 keepers in this matter it is safe to assume that thib explanation of 
 the disease is the correct one, and consequently great care should 
 be exercised that the colonies are provided with good stores for 
 winter. 
 
 Recently it has been claimed that there are two type«> of dysentery, 
 one form as above described and another form which is infectious. 
 American beekeepers are not familiar with an infectious dysentery, 
 and m practical manipulations it is necessary to consider only the 
 type above described. 
 
 THE SO-CAIiLED PABALYSIS. 
 
 It is quite possible that under the name "paralysis'' are included 
 several distinct diseases. This is indicated by the variety of symp- 
 toms reported by beekeepers and the number of different seasons and 
 conditions under which the disease is supposed to occur. The usual 
 manifestation described is that the worker bees are seen crawling in 
 front of the hive with their abdomens trembling. The abdomens 
 are also frequently distended. The bees often climb grass blades 
 and on attempting to fly from the top fall again to the ground. 
 Frequently the bees so affected are almost hairless. The same trem- 
 bling motion may often be observed on opening the hive. The colony 
 is often depleted very rapidly. There is no evidence that the disease 
 is infectious. 
 
 The cause of this peculiar trouble is unknown, and no remedy can 
 be recommended. It is claimed by some writers that a salt-water 
 spray applied to the combs or salt or sulphur sprinkled on the top 
 bars or entrance is sometimes an effective remedy. 
 
 ISLE OF WIGHT DISEASE. 
 
 Eecently a supposedly infectious disease of adult bees has deci- 
 mated the bees on the Isle of Wight and is said to be spreading in 
 England. It resembles somewhat the so-called paralysis. No treat- 
 ment other than destruction to prevent the spread of the disease has 
 been recommended. So far as is known no trouble of this kind has 
 been experienced in America. 
 
 SPHmG DWINDLING. 
 
 It sometimes happens that the adult bees in a colony die off in the 
 spring more rapidly than they are replaced by emerging brood. 
 This dwindling may be diminished somewhat by keeping the colony 
 warm and by stimulative feeding, so that all of the energy of the 
 old bees may be used to the best advantage. This condition is prob- 
 ably due to the fact that the colony goes into winter with too large 
 a percentage of old worn-out bees. To prevent this, brood rearing 
 should be continued as late as possible in the fall; if necessary, by 
 stimulative feeding. 
 
22 TREATMEXT OF BEE DISEASES. 
 
 PUBLICATIONS OF THE DEPARTMEM! OP AGEICTJLTTJEE ON BEE 
 
 DISEASES. 
 
 There are several other publications of the Bureau of Entomology 
 of this department which deal with bee diseases. They may be 
 obtained on request to the Editor and Chief of the Division of Pub- 
 lications, Department of Agriculture, and are the following : 
 
 Circular No. 94, " The Cause of American Foul Brood." By G. F. White, Ph. D. 
 
 1907. 4 pp. 
 
 Tills puWication contains a brief account of the investigations which demonstrated 
 for the first time the cause of one of the brood diseases of bees, American foul brood. 
 
 Bulletin No. 70, '* Report of the Meeting of Inspectors of Apiaries, San Antonio, 
 
 Tex., November 12, 1906." 1907. 79 pp., 1 pi. 
 
 Contains an account of the histor.y of bee-disease investigations, the relationship of 
 bacteria to bee diseases, and a discussion of treatment by various inspectors of apiaries 
 and other practical beekeepers who are familiar with diseases of bees. 
 
 Bulletin No. 75, Part II, " Wax Moths and American Foul Brood." By E. F. 
 
 Phillips, Ph. D. 1907. Pp. 19-22, 3 pis. 
 
 An account of the behavior of the two species of wax moths on combs containing 
 American foul brood, showing that moths do not clean up the disease-carrying scales. 
 
 Bulletin No. 75, Part III, '' Bee Diseases in Massachusetts." By Burton N. 
 
 Gates. 190S. Pp. 23-32, map. 
 
 An account of the distribution of the brood diseases of bees in the State, with brief 
 directions for controlling them. 
 
 Bulletin No. 75, Part IV, "The Relation of the Etiology (Cause) of Bee Dis- 
 eases to the Treatment." By G. F. White, Ph. D. 1908. Pp. 33-^2. 
 
 The necessity for a knowledge of the causes of bee diseases before rational treatment 
 is possible is pointed out. The present state of knowledge of the causes of disease is 
 summarized. 
 
 Technical Series, No. 14, "The Bacteria of the Apiary, with Special Reference 
 
 to Bee Diseases." By G. F. White, Ph. D. 1906. 50 pp. 
 
 A study of the bacteria present in both the healthy and the diseased colony, with 
 special reference to the diseases of bees. 
 
 442 
 
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