2 Overview of diseases and pests
Diseases and pests pose a major threat to the health of colonies and require early detection and appropriate management. This overview presents the main diseases and pests affecting honey bees. The following information is based on official fact sheet 2 from the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Official Practical Guide – Summary
Practical Guide: 2 Diseases and pests
- Objective: Provide an overview of the main diseases and pests in order to facilitate their identification.
- Diseases:
- Brood diseases such as European foulbrood and American foulbrood.
- Diseases of adult bees, especially of viral origin.
- Parasitic diseases such as varroosis.
- Pests:
- Varroa, the main parasite of colonies.
- Other pests such as wax moths or rodents.
- Principle:
- Early identification and compliance with official procedures are essential.
- Important point:
- This overview serves as an orientation tool and should be complemented by the specific practical guides.
► Open the practical guide PDF directly (FR)
If the link is no longer active: ► Go to the official practical guides page (abeilles.ch)
Summary prepared on the basis of Practical Guide 2. Last checked: 01/2026.
See also:
- Practical Guide: 2.8 Varroosis
- Practical Guide: 2.1 American foulbrood
- Practical Guide: 2.2 European foulbrood
- Wax moth and its damage
