Intended for new beekeepers with some limited experience of handling bees or those preparing for their BBKA Basic Assessment.

1. Beekeeping in your 2nd Year
© ÉRIC TOURNERET
Session 1 - Basic Bee Husbandry
Thursday, 28 February 13 1
How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour
And gather honey all the day
From every opening flower!
Issac Watts

2. Session 1 - Basic Bee Husbandry
Thursday, 28 February 13 1
How doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour
And gather honey all the day
From every opening flower!
Issac Watts

3. Our Objective
To turn you from someone who has
bees into a Bee-keeper.
Re-enforce key skills and knowledge
Cover more advanced subjects
Prepare you for the BBKA Basic
Assessment
Thursday, 28 February 13 2

4. Novice Beekeeping Agenda
Week 1
Basic Bee Husbandry & IPM
Week 2
Swarm Management & Collection
Week 3
Queen Rearing for Beeginners
Thursday, 28 February 13 3

5. Basic Bee Husbandry
Thursday, 28 February 13 4

6. The Rule of 3
Eggs take 3 days from laying to hatching
Thursday, 28 February 13 5
These are details that every beekeeper should know by heart - When inspecting brood in a hive, the beekeeper should be able to judge not only what is happening now, but what will
happen over the next few days.

7. The Rule of 3
Eggs take 3 days from laying to hatching
Worker larvae take 6 days to pupate
Drone +1 days
Queen – 1 days
Thursday, 28 February 13 5
These are details that every beekeeper should know by heart - When inspecting brood in a hive, the beekeeper should be able to judge not only what is happening now, but what will
happen over the next few days.

8. The Rule of 3
Eggs take 3 days from laying to hatching
Worker larvae take 6 days to pupate
Drone +1 days
Queen – 1 days
Sealed worker brood takes 12 days to hatch
Drone +2 days
Queen -4 days
Thursday, 28 February 13 5
These are details that every beekeeper should know by heart - When inspecting brood in a hive, the beekeeper should be able to judge not only what is happening now, but what will
happen over the next few days.

9. The Rule of 3
Eggs take 3 days from laying to hatching
Worker larvae take 6 days to pupate
Drone +1 days
Queen – 1 days
Sealed worker brood takes 12 days to hatch
Drone +2 days
Queen -4 days
Workers live 3 weeks in Hive and 3 weeks foraging (in summer)
Thursday, 28 February 13 5
These are details that every beekeeper should know by heart - When inspecting brood in a hive, the beekeeper should be able to judge not only what is happening now, but what will
happen over the next few days.

10. The Rule of 3
Eggs take 3 days from laying to hatching
Worker larvae take 6 days to pupate
Drone +1 days
Queen – 1 days
Sealed worker brood takes 12 days to hatch
Drone +2 days
Queen -4 days
Workers live 3 weeks in Hive and 3 weeks foraging (in summer)
Workers live 6 months (in winter)
Thursday, 28 February 13 5
These are details that every beekeeper should know by heart - When inspecting brood in a hive, the beekeeper should be able to judge not only what is happening now, but what will
happen over the next few days.

11. The Rule of 3
Eggs take 3 days from laying to hatching
Worker larvae take 6 days to pupate
Drone +1 days
Queen – 1 days
Sealed worker brood takes 12 days to hatch
Drone +2 days
Queen -4 days
Workers live 3 weeks in Hive and 3 weeks foraging (in summer)
Workers live 6 months (in winter)
Queens live ~3 years
Thursday, 28 February 13 5
These are details that every beekeeper should know by heart - When inspecting brood in a hive, the beekeeper should be able to judge not only what is happening now, but what will
happen over the next few days.

12. The Rule of 3
Eggs take 3 days from laying to hatching
Worker larvae take 6 days to pupate
Drone +1 days
Queen – 1 days
Sealed worker brood takes 12 days to hatch
Drone +2 days
Queen -4 days
Workers live 3 weeks in Hive and 3 weeks foraging (in summer)
Workers live 6 months (in winter)
Queens live ~3 years
Drones live ~3 months
Thursday, 28 February 13 5
These are details that every beekeeper should know by heart - When inspecting brood in a hive, the beekeeper should be able to judge not only what is happening now, but what will
happen over the next few days.

13. Larval Development
Thursday, 28 February 13 6
This is probably the most important slide in the entire course - Understanding the timescales of larval development goes a long way to making you a competent beekeeper.
All eggs are laid vertically in the cell on day one. By day 3-4 to egg will be on it’s side and will hatch into a larva.
Worker Bees - Fed royal jelly from hatching for three days and then fed bee bread until day 9 when it is sealed in its cell until it emerges on Day 21.
Drone Bees - Fed royal jelly from hatching for three days and then fed bee bread until day 10 and then sealed in its cell until it emerges on day 24.
Queen Bees - Fed on royal jelly until day 8 when sealed in their cell until emerging on day 16.

14. Reading Combs - Your key skill!
This is the most important skill for any beekeeper
Thursday, 28 February 13 7
At each inspection, you need to understand the state of the brood comb and any changes or developments from the last visit. You first need to understand what a
“normal” comb looks like at through the year so that you can pick up on any differences.

15. Reading Combs - Your key skill!
This is the most important skill for any beekeeper
Looking at brood comb and the bees on it, tells you exactly what is
going on inside the hive
Thursday, 28 February 13 7
At each inspection, you need to understand the state of the brood comb and any changes or developments from the last visit. You first need to understand what a
“normal” comb looks like at through the year so that you can pick up on any differences.

16. Reading Combs - Your key skill!
This is the most important skill for any beekeeper
Looking at brood comb and the bees on it, tells you exactly what is
going on inside the hive
Is the queen present?(even if you can’t find her)
Thursday, 28 February 13 7
At each inspection, you need to understand the state of the brood comb and any changes or developments from the last visit. You first need to understand what a
“normal” comb looks like at through the year so that you can pick up on any differences.

17. Reading Combs - Your key skill!
This is the most important skill for any beekeeper
Looking at brood comb and the bees on it, tells you exactly what is
going on inside the hive
Is the queen present?(even if you can’t find her)
Are the bees healthy? Any diseases present?
Thursday, 28 February 13 7
At each inspection, you need to understand the state of the brood comb and any changes or developments from the last visit. You first need to understand what a
“normal” comb looks like at through the year so that you can pick up on any differences.

18. Reading Combs - Your key skill!
This is the most important skill for any beekeeper
Looking at brood comb and the bees on it, tells you exactly what is
going on inside the hive
Is the queen present?(even if you can’t find her)
Are the bees healthy? Any diseases present?
Are there enough stores? Should I harvest?
Thursday, 28 February 13 7
At each inspection, you need to understand the state of the brood comb and any changes or developments from the last visit. You first need to understand what a
“normal” comb looks like at through the year so that you can pick up on any differences.

19. Reading Combs - Your key skill!
This is the most important skill for any beekeeper
Looking at brood comb and the bees on it, tells you exactly what is
going on inside the hive
Is the queen present?(even if you can’t find her)
Are the bees healthy? Any diseases present?
Are there enough stores? Should I harvest?
Is there enough space currently in the hive?
Thursday, 28 February 13 7
At each inspection, you need to understand the state of the brood comb and any changes or developments from the last visit. You first need to understand what a
“normal” comb looks like at through the year so that you can pick up on any differences.

20. Reading Combs - Your key skill!
This is the most important skill for any beekeeper
Looking at brood comb and the bees on it, tells you exactly what is
going on inside the hive
Is the queen present?(even if you can’t find her)
Are the bees healthy? Any diseases present?
Are there enough stores? Should I harvest?
Is there enough space currently in the hive?
Will they swarm soon?
Thursday, 28 February 13 7
At each inspection, you need to understand the state of the brood comb and any changes or developments from the last visit. You first need to understand what a
“normal” comb looks like at through the year so that you can pick up on any differences.

21. Reading Combs - Your key skill!
This is the most important skill for any beekeeper
Looking at brood comb and the bees on it, tells you exactly what is
going on inside the hive
Is the queen present?(even if you can’t find her)
Are the bees healthy? Any diseases present?
Are there enough stores? Should I harvest?
Is there enough space currently in the hive?
Will they swarm soon?
Are they trying to replace the Queen? (supercedure)
Thursday, 28 February 13 7
At each inspection, you need to understand the state of the brood comb and any changes or developments from the last visit. You first need to understand what a
“normal” comb looks like at through the year so that you can pick up on any differences.

22. Reading Combs - Your key skill!
This is the most important skill for any beekeeper
Looking at brood comb and the bees on it, tells you exactly what is
going on inside the hive
Is the queen present?(even if you can’t find her)
Are the bees healthy? Any diseases present?
Are there enough stores? Should I harvest?
Is there enough space currently in the hive?
Will they swarm soon?
Are they trying to replace the Queen? (supercedure)
How bad are the current varroa levels?
Thursday, 28 February 13 7
At each inspection, you need to understand the state of the brood comb and any changes or developments from the last visit. You first need to understand what a
“normal” comb looks like at through the year so that you can pick up on any differences.

23. Reading Combs - Your key skill!
This is the most important skill for any beekeeper
Looking at brood comb and the bees on it, tells you exactly what is
going on inside the hive
Is the queen present?(even if you can’t find her)
Are the bees healthy? Any diseases present?
Are there enough stores? Should I harvest?
Is there enough space currently in the hive?
Will they swarm soon?
Are they trying to replace the Queen? (supercedure)
How bad are the current varroa levels?
Any other pests getting inside the hive? (wasps, wax moth etc)
Thursday, 28 February 13 7
At each inspection, you need to understand the state of the brood comb and any changes or developments from the last visit. You first need to understand what a
“normal” comb looks like at through the year so that you can pick up on any differences.

24. Healthy Comb
Uniform cells on nice,
clean wax
Sealed brood, arranged in
an oval in centre of comb
Also some “C” shaped,
pearly white larvae in cells
Honey and pollen may be
stored around the outside
of frame
Thursday, 28 February 13 8
This is good and near perfect clean comb, probably less than a year old. Comb like this is the ideal and gradually darkens as the cells are reused over and over again to
raise generations of bees. Brood comb should be regularly changed every 2-3 years to keep the colony healthy and as free from disease as possible.

25. Bee Diseases & Pests
Good
Disease is caused by
pathogens and stress!!
Clean bee suits and other clothing
Clean gloves
Clean hive tools etc between colonies Not so Good!
Clean & well ventilated hives
Replace brood comb regularly
Thursday, 28 February 13 9
You as the beekeeper could easily become the vector for any pest or disease moving from one hive to another. You need to be clean and so does your equipment. You
should clean your hive-tool between hives and certainly between apiaries. You should also either have vinyl/nitrile gloves that you can dispose of after each visit, or
marigold/rubber gloves that can be washed once your work is complete in that apiary. Bare hands should be cleaned used an alcohol hand wash.

26. Main Bee Pathogens
Viruses
Bacterial diseases
Fungal diseases
Protozoa
Parasitic Mites
Pests and Predators
Other Colony Abnormalities
What's New - Exotic Pests
Thursday, 28 February 13 10
The diseases and pests are listed in size order from the smallest (the virus) to the largest ( the predators)
It is important you remember that to some extent, it’s bees normal behaviour which spreads the disease. They are constantly passing food from mouth to mouth, cleaning
out cells (with their mouths), and feeding the young. The adult bees rob other colonies, and drifting workers and drones from other colonies are allowed into the hive. This
gives many of the diseases and parasites an ideal opportunity to multiply and spread.

27. Viruses
Virus infections are difficult to
detect and impossible to treat.
Often associated with other
problems – particularly parasitic
mites (Varroa).
Chronic bee paralysis virus
Acute bee paralysis virus
Kashmir bee virus
Black queen cell virus
Deformed wing virus
Sacbrood
Thursday, 28 February 13 11
Virus infections are difficult to detect and impossible to treat, but they are of great importance to us all, as they are often associated with other problems – particularly parasitic mites.
CBPV. Most commonly associated with Acarine. It does have two forms, so there may in fact be two sorts! The adult bees can be seen trembling, or partial paralysis resulting in crawling and
with limited flight capacity. They may have bloated abdomens or appear dark and shiny with no body hair. They are sometimes seen with dislocated wings (the so called K wing).
ABPV. This is more virulent than CBPV and spreads apparently by salivary gland secretions. It is possibly the major cause of colony death for colonies affected by Varroa. Once in the blood
of the bee death occurs with 3 to 5 days.
KASHMIR BEE VIRUS. Hopefully we do not have this virus in UK although this may well change with the importation of bees and queens from other countries. It appears to be associated with
Nosema and EFB.
BLACK QUEEN CELL VIRUS. This affects the developing queen pupae in the capped stage. Initially the pupae are pale yellow and have a tough skin, similar to sacbrood. The infected pupae
rapidly darken following death and eventually the walls of the queen cell become dark brown to black in colour. This disease seems to be associated with Nosema and also with Varroa.
DEFORMED WING VIRUS. This affects pupae in the white eyed stage of development, and the bees hatch with poorly developed or deformed wings. It is common with high levels of varroa
infestations.
SACBROOD. This is uncommon, but does occur. The larvae are affected, and they have a sack like appearance, often referred to as “Chinese Slipper”. The initial spread of sacbrood within a
colony occurs when nurse bees become contaminated while removing larvae killed by the virus from their cells. The virus particles are ingested by the nurse bees and the virus collects in
the hypopharngial glands (the brood food glands) and is then fed to the 1 to 2 day old larvae. There is no chemical cure for a virus, but the prevalence of the disease may be genetic, and
good management can alleviate the problem. Varroa may also be a vector of the virus.

28. Bacterial Diseases
American Foul Brood European Foul Brood
(paenibacilus larvae larvae) (melissococus pluton)
Affects sealed brood Affects unsealed brood
Sunken, dark, wet looking Yellow or brownish
cappings discoloured larvae
Perforated cappings Larvae lie in unnatural
positions in the cells
Roping of cell contents
“Melted” appearance
Scales
White gut may be seen
Smell ! Pepperbox brood
Smell ! Pepperbox brood
Larvae die of toxaemia
Larvae die of starvation
Thursday, 28 February 13 12
The main difference between AFB and EFB is that EFB affects the unsealed brood. In EFB the bacterium multiply in the mid gut and the larvae die of starvation prior to the cell being sealed.
The bees are easily able to remove the dead larvae and in its early stages the disease remains undetected.
EFB USED TO BE TREATED BY THE SBI WITH THE ANTIBIOTIC – TERRAMYCIN. THE PREFERRED TREATMENT IS NOW “SHOOK SWARM”
In AFB the bacterium is ingested by the larvae and multiplies in the gut prior to invading the body. The developing pupae then dies from septicaemia (blood poisoning). Death occurs after
the cell is sealed and the contents rot. It turns a brown colour and eventually deteriorates to a dark brown or black scale. This scale is the remains of the immature bee and contains 5 to 10
million spores. The house cleaning bees will attempt to remove the scales and will become infected and pass the disease on to more larvae. Collapsing colonies may be robbed, particularly
at the end of the season, by other colonies, thus spreading the disease.
The classic test for AFB is the ROPE TEST.
THERE IS NO TREATMENT IN UK FOR AFB EXCEPT DESTRUCTION.

29. Note: Scales on
inside of cells
American Foul Brood
Thursday, 28 February 13 13

30. American Foul Brood
Note: Sunken or
chewed cappings
Thursday, 28 February 13 14

31. AFB “Roping”
Test
American Foul Brood
Thursday, 28 February 13 15

32. Treatment for AFB
THERE IS NO TREATMENT!
Brood and frames must be destroyed,
typically by burning
Sterilise brood box and supers with flame
or chemical treatment
Must notify local Bee Inspector who will
visit to confirm diagnosis and destruction
Can then claim on BBKA insurance
Thursday, 28 February 13 16

33. Note: Discoloured
and “melted” dead
larvae.
European Foul Brood
Thursday, 28 February 13 17
In EFB the bacterium multiply in the mid gut and the larvae die of starvation prior to the cell being sealed. The bees are easily able to remove the dead larvae and in its early stages the
disease remains undetected.
EFB USED TO BE TREATED BY THE SBI WITH THE ANTIBIOTIC – TERRAMYCIN. THE PREFERRED TREATMENT IS NOW “SHOOK SWARM”

34. Treatment for EFB
Only treatment is a shook swarm
Use new foundation in a clean hive or Nuc
Old comb and brood must be destroyed
Flame/sterilise old hive
Must notify local Bee Inspector who will
visit to confirm diagnosis
Can claim on BBKA insurance
Thursday, 28 February 13 18
Again, we have a few test kits within the association that can be used to test for EFB. When in doubt please contact either your mentor or a tutor to check out your bees.
You can also contact the Seasonal Bee Inspector directly if you want to. EFB is quite common throughout Southern England and tends to appear when the colony is under
stress for some other reason.

35. Lets have a break...
Thursday, 28 February 13 19

36. Fungal Diseases
Chalkbrood –(ascophaera apis)
Larvae appear “mummified”
Is stress related and is noted
when the following conditions
occur :-
Cool wet weather with
poor forage
Weak colonies
Poor management
Control:- re-queen, use varroa
floor , conduct a shook swarm
Thursday, 28 February 13 20
Chalkbrood is endemic, and will be seen to a greater or lesser extent in most colonies. It is believed that the infection is from the ingestion of spores. The larvae become mummified with
fluffy white or grey colour (the darker colouration, which is sometimes black, is caused by a secondary black spore forming body on the surface of the mummy).
Studies would indicate that this is stress related and is particularly noticeable in cool wet weather when there is poor forage conditions. It is more often associated with small colonies
(Nucs). It may be alleviated by increased ventilation, as it appears to be dependent on relative humidity and CO2 levels in the hive; so open mesh floors will help!
Control. The books say re-queen with a more vigorous strain. It is also suggested that colonies treated with thymol are less susceptible. Treatment with “shook swarm” may also be an
effective treatment.

37. Nosema
Nosema Apis & Nosema Cerana
Invades gut of adult bee
Creates dysentery
Large amount of bee “poo”
appears on frames and on
outside of hive
Tends to happen in spring
Diagnosis - 30 bees crushed -
examine under x400 microscope
Treatment: Shook swarm or
comb change
Thursday, 28 February 13 21
Nosema is an infestation of the protozoa nosema apis.
The protozoa is ingested by the adult bee where the spore germinate in the ventriculus (mid gut). They form long tube or polar filaments which penetrate the gut lining (or epithium) and
subsequently grow and multiply. The organism completing its growth releases spores which are subsequently void with the faeces. The bee normally defecates outside the hive, and thus
the disease does not take over the colony. Often affected colonies will recover during summer. Should the infection occur with Dysentery during the winter, then infected faeces will be left
inside the hive and the bees will re-infect whilst trying to clean the hive.
The bees that have nosema are unable to properly digest their food and thus have shortened life spans. Also due to their under nourishment they are unable to produce brood food. An
infected colony will show slow build up in the Spring (or possibly suffer population decrease).
Firm diagnosis is by microscopic examination using a 400 times magnification, we have these type of microscopes available within the association and occasionally run courses
Amoeba is caused by Malpighamoeba Mellifera.
Its life cycle is not dissimilar to the Nosema, except that it affects the malphigian tubuals (the bees equivalent to our kidneys). There are no clear symptoms and no treatment.
Diagnosis is as for Nosema.

38. Acarine
Mite - Acarapis woodii
Infests 1st thoracic trachea and
breeds there
blocks with debris
Mites move to young bees
Associated with viruses
Diagnosis - Take single bees,
remove head and examine
thorax under x40 microscope Clear Trachea
Infected Trachea
Look for darkened trachea
Possible treatment with thymol
Aorta
Thursday, 28 February 13 22
Acarine is quite uncommon and seems to be kept in check by the greater use of Thymol and other Varroa treatments that seem to also inhibit the Acarine mite. It can only be diagnosed
with a suitable microscope using one bee at a time and is therefore difficult to identify in a particular colony.

39. Enemy No 1!
Varroa (Varroa Destructor)
Signs:-
Mites visible on bees, larvae
and floor debris
Deformed bees (particularly
deformed wings)
May be largely responsible for
Colony Collapse Disorder in USA
Treatment: Apiguard etc in
Autumn, and Oxalic Acid in winter
Also open-mesh floors and drone
brood culling
Thursday, 28 February 13 23

40. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Varroa can’t be eliminated
OMF Drone Dust Api Oxalic Krame
so IPM controls numbers guar acid plate
Feb
Open mesh floors March
April
Queen trapping May
June
Drone brood July
removal Aug
Sept
Icing sugar Oct
Nov
ApiGuard etc Dec
Jan
Oxalic Acid
Thursday, 28 February 13 24

41. Thursday, 28 February 13 25

42. Monitor Mite Levels
Need to try to keep mite pop <1000
Use hive tray to measure daily mite drop
Critical daily mite drop Number of mites in
Month
(N) colony
Winter / Spring ~ 0.5 N x 400
May / June / July ~ 10 N x 50
August / September ~ 25 N x 40
A bad infestation needs treatment ASAP
Thursday, 28 February 13 26
Place the tray under the hive (most hive floors have special slots for the purpose) and cover in a thin coat of vaseline so that any dropped mites stick where they fall.

43. Treatment
December / January
Treat bees with
oxalic acid and
feed candy
August / September
Treat with two
doses of Apiguard
etc
Thursday, 28 February 13 27

44. Prevention is Better...
You never see photos of disease on
clean comb...
Replace it every 3 years
Mark frames with date
Don’t move comb between hives
Use disposable gloves
Initially place vinyl/latex over
leather gloves. Use nitrile or
double latex gloves later
Sterilise your hive tools with blow
torch between hives
Dispose of hive detritus away from
the apiary
Thursday, 28 February 13 28

45. Statutory Requirements
AFB and EFB are notifiable diseases. You
MUST inform the local Bee Inspector
Bee Inspectors have the right to enter property
and inspect bees
The Regional Bee Inspector is;
Nigel Semmence: 01264 338694
email: nigel.semmence@fera.gsi.gov.uk
He is supported by a team of local Seasonal
Inspectors
Register your hives on BeeBase
https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase/
index.cfm
Thursday, 28 February 13 29

46. Links for more information
http://www.mbbka.org.uk/Varroa-
Control.html
http://www.bbka.org.uk/learn/
general_information/pests__diseases
https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase/
index.cfm
Thursday, 28 February 13 30

47. Summary
Reading comb will quickly tell you
the state of your colonies
Good hygiene can prevent almost
all diseases
Replace comb after 2-3 years
Clean tools and replace gloves
as you move from hive to hive
Keep your hives and the apiary
area clean and tidy
If in doubt of AFB or EFB, call your
mentor or the local Bee Inspector
Thursday, 28 February 13 31