Bee Droppings?

[Scorpster]

Hi All

I was observing my community feeder yesterday, and noticed that the bees that were on the way back to the hive were making significant "ejections"? Would they be marking the path, as this location was where they had to turn into a clearing to the feeder? Or were they too full to hold it all in? There's always lots of bees near the feeder that seem to be so full they can't get off the ground or fly far. I would say it was about 20% of the bees who were doing this, and only the returning bees. Any thoughts?

Steve

[franktrujillo]

hello,I would stop feeding let the foragers go get real nector..it's healthier for them.

[LenInNorCal]

Nosema? Is there a K wing formation when they are at rest? Is there feces or dark stuff on the landing? LOTS of it? Do they tire easily or are easily upset?
Don't know, but it sounds like it just from the expelling of material.

[Bens-Bees]

Nosema?

That is my thought too.


hello,I would stop feeding let the foragers go get real nector..it's healthier for them.

And that would be part of my recommendation, too (in addition to any medicinal treatments needed for Nosema).

[Scorpster]

There is no other sign of trouble, and they had their fall Fum-B treatment already. Also this was only observed in outbound bees. I don't know how much bees normally eject, but what I observed was a spray of about 8 droplets (guessing that's more than a normal bathroom break). Probably wouldn't have noticed it except for the low sun and me in the shade.

[Bens-Bees]

If you normally treat every fall with fum-B, then you may have created a resistant strain of Nosema.

[Mike Gillmore]

If you normally treat every fall with fum-B, then you may have created a resistant strain of Nosema.

That's interesting. Where can you go to read information about Nosema resistant to Fum-B ?

[honeyshack]

There have been studies done that bulk feeding encourages disease. As well, only the strong get sufficent stores for the winter.
Many groups such as Manitoba beekeepers, U of M apiary department, Omarfi (ontario beekeepers association or something like it) are trying to convince beekeepers to go with indivual feeders on the hives. This lessens the chance for disease spread.

If you had hives with nosema, it would have shown up in your honey production and your colony strength by now.
I am guessing they are just relieving themselves in flight, rather than taking it home with them. If you want, send in a sample to your bee department (each province has one...i think) to get tested for nosema and varroa. I say varroa just incase the threshold of varroa is starting to stress the hive, and nosema is becoming a secondary infection here.

You can also do a field test for nosema, but unles you have your own microscope of 400x you will not be able to see the nosema. However, you might be able to use the local schools microscope...just an idea

[Mike Gillmore]

...bees that were on the way back to the hive were making significant "ejections"?


Also this was only observed in outbound bees.

I'm a bit confused as to which one is the case, but if you saw them expelling as they were leaving the hive it sounds pretty normal to me. Especially if you've had periods of poor weather and they have been housebound for a while. If you start to notice dark brown droppings splattered all over the hive body then it's time to worry.

I agree with the feeding advice. If they have enough stores, stop feeding syrup in a community feeder. If you have a specific colony that's light and concerns you then feed just that one particular hive.

[fish_stix]

Normal operations! Take a look at your truck windshield next time you park it near the hives. My wife came home last week with the car covered in bee poo. Had a swarm land in a tree close to her parking space at work.

[Bens-Bees]

That's interesting. Where can you go to read information about Nosema resistant to Fum-B ?

http://utahpests.usu.edu/ipm/files/uploads/PPTDocs/09sh-UPIS-hygenic-bee-behavior-moulton.pdf P.13

http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225700

This is a good study on it, though it was studying Nosema in moths... I believe it still applies though.
http://scialert.net/pdfs/pjbs/2001/329-330.pdf