dysentery/nosema , options?

[Vinman]

My healtiest of two hives going into fall now has dysentery I suspect. I read it is more likely to occur in the winter than nosema. Is the same remedy used for both dysentery and nosema? I have avoided all chemical treatments thus far and prefer remaining organic. Would either one of these ailments threaten to kill off the entire colony if no chemical were used? I havent been using a sugar feeder yet this year since I figured they had plenty of honey stored. Now some brown streaks around entrance and about 100 dead bees found on floor of overwintering shed one day last week. They also seem irritable. Many options?

[Michael Bush]

>My healtiest of two hives going into fall now has dysentery I suspect. I read it is more likely to occur in the winter than nosema.

Dysentary often occurs when the bees have been confined by weather or other factors.

>Is the same remedy used for both dysentery and nosema?

Dysentary is a symptom of Nosema. But it's also caused by feed with much solids or confinement. So I would try to find out what the cause is. The typical field test is to field strip the bee. That means you catch a worker, and pull it apart and look at it's gut. A white opaque, swollen gut is indicative of nosema. A clear or amber or dark gray gut is healthy.

http://maarec.cas.psu.edu/pest&disease/slide39.htm

>I have avoided all chemical treatments thus far and prefer remaining organic. Would either one of these ailments threaten to kill off the entire colony if no chemical were used?

Simple dysentary? No. Nosema? Probably not, but it can certainly cut down on their health and increase stress which can add up with other things to kill a hive. I've seen short term dysentary after confinement or after the bees have been eating things like pear juice from the rotting fruit in a dearth, but it never lasts long. I've never treated for dysentary.

>I havent been using a sugar feeder yet this year since I figured they had plenty of honey stored. Now some brown streaks around entrance and about 100 dead bees found on floor of overwintering shed one day last week.

How many hives? A hundred dead bees from one hive from one day, is a little high. A hundred dead bees from several hives over several days is normal.

>They also seem irritable.

It's winter. They are going to be irritable.

>Many options?

I have not heard or nor tried any organic remedy for Nosema. But then I've also never treated for Nosema with anything else either.

Here's the typically available info, which will recommend Fumidil (or fumigillan):

http://maarec.cas.psu.edu/pest&disease/slide36.htm

Just step through it and it will show a lot of information about Nosema and dysentary.

[HarryVanderpool]

Dysentary is normally much lighter in color.
You may see it on the outside of your hives.
The real problem is identified when the dark nosema is seen inside the hive.

http://orsba.proboards27.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1113020953

If it looks too bad, especially early on in the season with a tiny cluster; you are better off shaking the bees out in the cold and starting over.
What is pictured is more than a sninky mess.
It represents zillions of spores.
You CAN scrape it down as best as possible and dump a huge swarm in it.
Feed Syrup with fumigillin immediatly and in the fall and spring for 2 years. :(