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Emergency varroa treatment in Swiss hives is a measure intended for colonies that are too heavily infested, in order to sanitize them within one day. Official Practical Guide 1.7.2 of the SSA / BGD describes a technique corresponding to the artificial swarm with queen method, with rehousing of the colony on frames with foundation. The document links the intervention to the natural mite drop, to treatment on a colony without capped brood, and to the complete renewal of all frames.
Regular inspection of colonies makes it possible to identify potential health problems at an early stage and to implement planned and targeted measures. It is essential to check and assess colonies at least in spring (when grape hyacinths are in bloom), in summer (between the summer honey harvest and the first summer treatment), and in October (before overwintering).
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.
American foulbrood is a bacterial disease. Under optimal conditions, the bacteria multiply by cell division. When conditions become unfavourable, spores are formed that remain infectious for decades. These highly infectious spores are distributed within the colony in the brood nest through the cleaning and maintenance activities of worker bees. Infection by spores occurs via the royal jelly on which larvae feed during the first 48 hours of their life. Adult bees are not infected but can act as carriers of the pathogen. A completely dried larva forming a crust may contain more than 2 billion spores.
European foulbrood is a bacterial disease of the brood in which the larvae usually die before capping. The official SSA/BGD checklist 2.2 describes typical signs such as patchy brood, yellowish to brown-black larvae, the match test, and a characteristic odor. It also specifies that this is a notifiable epizootic disease and that the apiary inspector must be called immediately.
The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) is a feared pest of honey bee colonies; both adults and larvae feed on honey, pollen, and preferably brood. European countries had so far been considered free of the small hive beetle. Reports from September 2014 concerning the detection of Aethina tumida in southern Italy are alarming and also require increased vigilance from Swiss beekeepers, as well as regular inspection of their own bee colonies.
Chalkbrood is a fungal disease that affects worker and drone brood. Contamination by spores occurs through larval feeding. The fungus germinates in the larval gut and spreads throughout the body in the form of filaments. The disease occurs mainly in weak colonies; it is promoted by sharp drops in temperature and high humidity. It may affect individual colonies or, under unfavourable weather conditions (cold, humidity), entire apiaries in the form of an epidemic. A site that is regularly and heavily affected by chalkbrood is considered unsuitable; hives should therefore be relocated to a sunnier location. Severe infestation can kill colonies.
Diarrhoea in bees is most often caused by Nosema or dysentery. Nosema is a fungal disease that can be caused by two different pathogens: Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae. Transmission occurs in the form of spores via food, water, and contaminated surfaces. The fungus germinates in the midgut and subsequently multiplies in the intestinal cells. New spores are transmitted through the excreta. In this factsheet, only diarrhoea resulting from Nosema apis is addressed and discussed. The disease is strongly season-dependent and occurs mainly in spring. The pathogen can be detected within the colony throughout the year even in the absence of clinical symptoms.
The wax moth is not considered a disease. In nature, wax moths play an important role by destroying old, abandoned combs, which are potential sources of pathogens. Attracted by odours, wax moth adults enter hives and lay their eggs there. The resulting larvae feed on pollen residues and on cocoon remnants that remain at the bottom of the cells.
The Asian hornet is an invasive species that poses a significant threat to honeybees and other insects. Its presence requires increased vigilance due to its ability to spread rapidly and its impact on colonies. The following information is based on the official checklist 2.7 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
The flight hole protected by a grid is a protective measure designed to reduce predation by Asian hornets in front of colonies. This adaptation allows bees to move around normally while limiting access to predators. The following information is based on the official checklist 2.7.1 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Die Nestsuche durch Triangulation ist eine gezielte Methode zur Lokalisierung von Nestern der Asiatischen Hornisse. Sie basiert auf systematischen Beobachtungen der Flugrichtungen einzelner Tiere und unterstützt die Behörden bei der Bekämpfung dieser invasiven Art. Die folgenden Hinweise basieren auf dem offiziellen Merkblatt 2.7.2 des Schweizerischen Bienengesundheitsdienstes.
Varroa mites are the main parasitic disease affecting honey bees and, without rigorous control measures, pose a major threat to the survival of colonies. They are caused by the Varroa mite and weaken both the brood and adult bees. The following information is based on the official checklist 2.8 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
May disease is not an infectious disease, but a metabolic disorder that mainly occurs in spring when the brood is developing rapidly. It is linked to a lack of water in the colony. The following information is based on official memo 2.9 from the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Bee paralysis is a viral disease that mainly affects adult bees and can lead to behavioral disorders and increased losses. Official memo 2.10 from the Swiss Bee Health Service describes the symptoms, contributing factors, and what to do if you suspect your bees are affected.
The disease is caused by a virus. The pathogen can multiply both in adult bees and in the brood. In contrast to elongated larvae or prepupae, which may become diseased and die, no clinical symptoms are visible in infected adult bees, but their lifespan is reduced.
Official Practical Guide 2.12 classifies Tropilaelaps as a monitored disease. It describes two species of parasitic mites originating from Asia that can infest the European honey bee, and lists patchy brood, sunken/perforated cappings, and deformed bees as typical infestation indicators. For Switzerland, the document states that no presence has been confirmed to date, and that refraining from bee imports, conducting regular monitoring, and notifying the bee inspector in the event of suspected infestation are key preventive measures.
This protocol sheet facilitates the structured documentation of suspected bee poisoning and provides precise instructions for taking and sending samples. It is intended for beekeepers and competent persons to support coordinated clarification. The content is based on the official checklist 3.1.1 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Bee poisoning can cause significant colony losses and requires a rapid and structured response. This checklist describes the characteristic signs, possible causes, and steps to take if poisoning is suspected. The following information is based on the official checklist 3.1.2 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Periods of scarcity are times when bees cannot find sufficient sources of nectar and pollen, which can lead to food shortages for the colony. The summary below is based on official guidance document 3.2 from the Swiss Beekeeping Service (BGD/SSA) and outlines the causes, effects, and practical management measures.
Bee losses during mowing can be significant, particularly on flowering areas that are heavily frequented by foraging bees. Official memo 3.3 from the Swiss Bee Health Service describes the causes of these losses and measures to reduce them through appropriate mowing practices.