Dysentery (Winter Bee Diarrhea)
Krankheiten
Dysentery is not a contagious disease but a diarrheal condition of the winter bees.
Dysentery is not a contagious disease but a diarrheal condition of the winter bees. It occurs at the end of the winter rest period and in early spring, when the bees have been unable to take a cleansing flight for a long time. The rectum fills beyond a tolerable level, and the bees deposit feces inside the hive.
The picture is unmistakable: brown, soupy to liquid fecal spotting on the combs, in the cells, on the frame top bars, on the hive walls, and on the landing board. Affected bees are restless, have a distended, glassy-looking abdomen, and crawl around. Dead bees lie in front of the entrance. The colony consumes more food, becomes restless, and can become so exhausted that it does not survive the winter.
The causes lie almost always in management or location. Unsuitable, high-fiber winter feed such as forest honey or melezitose honey, excessive food consumption during the winter rest period, cold and dampness inside the hive, and persistent disturbances are the main triggers. Any disturbance, whether from the beekeeper, from mice in the hive, from woodpeckers, or from branches knocking against the hive, drives up food consumption and further fills the rectum.
There is little to do, but it is the right thing: quiet at the apiary, no unnecessary opening in winter, protection against mice and woodpeckers, a draft-free and dry winter cluster site with adequate ventilation. As soon as flying weather sets in, the bees should have free access for a cleansing flight. After winter, soiled combs are melted down, the hive is cleaned, and the colony is transferred to clean combs if necessary.
Distinguishing it from Nosema disease is not possible by eye alone, as both show fecal spotting. In repeated or severe cases, a bee sample for laboratory examination is therefore worthwhile. As prevention: feed sufficient suitable winter feed in good time, and do not leave forest honey or melezitose honey in the colony. There is no reporting or notification requirement.