Honey bees: defending them from pests and ailments

There are a selection of pests and ailments within the UK which can be reportable or notifiable and these could have an effect on your bees. In case you suspect they’re current inside your colonies you should inform the Nationwide Bee Unit (NBU) or your native bee inspector instantly. Failure to take action is an offence.

Yow will discover recommendation on beekeeping on BeeBase.

Asian hornet (Vespa velutina)

Vespa velutina, often known as the Asian hornet or yellow-legged hornet, is a predator of honey bees.

The way to spot an Asian hornet

Asian hornets:

• have a darkish brown or black velvety physique
• have a yellow or orange band on fourth phase of stomach
• have yellow-tipped legs
• are smaller than the native European hornet
• aren’t lively at night time

For extra detailed steering on figuring out Asian hornets, see the Non-Native Species Secretariat’s identification information.

American foulbrood

Indicators of American foulbrood embrace:

• wax cappings changing into sunken and perforated
• cappings changing into moist or greasy wanting and altering color
• when wanting on the backside of cells, AFB scales, which resemble a proboscis tongue, will be seen in comb cells
• an disagreeable scent
• when stays are drawn out, the mucus could also be ropey

In case you suspect your colony has American foulbrood you should:

• contact the NBU workplace or your native bee inspector instantly
• shut the hive
• disinfect beekeeping gear
• not take away any colonies, gear or honey from the location till the illness, if confirmed, has been managed

Discover out extra about how American foulbrood is unfold and managed.

European foulbrood

Indicators of European foulbrood embrace:

• lifeless larva collapse, turning yellowish-brown
• brood sample showing patchy and erratic
• an disagreeable bitter scent

In case you suspect your colony has European foulbrood you should:

• contact the NBU workplace or your native bee inspector instantly
• shut the hive
• disinfect beekeeping gear earlier than analyzing different colonies
• not take away any colonies, gear or honey from the location till the illness, if confirmed, has been managed

Discover out extra about how European foulbrood is unfold and managed.

Small hive beetle

The way to spot a small hive beetle

Small hive beetles:

• are oval in form, 5 to 7 mm lengthy and three to 4.5 mm large
• are reddish brown in color however change to darkish brown or black as they mature
• have distinctive membership formed antennae
• produce larvae with attribute rows of spines on the again and three pairs of legs close to the top

Indicators of small hive beetle in a colony embrace:

• small black beetles working across the comb or hiding in small darkish crevices of the hive
• larvae burrowing by way of the brood combs, consuming brood and shops
• larvae clumping collectively in corners of frames or combs cells
• clusters of small ‘rice grain’ eggs in cracks and crevices of the hive
• honey fermenting and dripping out of cells
• combs changing into slimy or smelling of rotten oranges

In case you suspect small hive beetle is current inside your colonies you should:

• contact the NBU workplace or your native bee inspector instantly
• not take away any colonies, gear or honey from the location till accredited to take action by the NBU

The small hive beetle is just not regarded as current within the UK. Import laws are the principle defence towards its introduction.

Discover out extra in regards to the small hive beetle, its life cycle and management strategies.

Tropilaelaps mite

The way to spot a Tropilaelaps mite

Tropilaelaps mites:

• conceal in brood cells moderately than on grownup bees
• have elongated our bodies about 1mm lengthy and 0.5mm large
• are reddish brown

Indicators of Tropilaelaps mite in a colony embrace:

• irregular or poor brood patterns
• surviving grownup bees having a shorter lifespan
• grownup bees with shrunken or deformed wings and abdomens

In case you suspect the Tropilaelaps mite is current inside your colonies you should:

• contact the NBU workplace or your native bee inspector instantly
• not take away any colonies, gear or honey from the location till accredited to take action by the NBU

Tropilaelaps mite aren’t presently regarded as current within the UK. Import laws are the principle defence towards its introduction.

Discover out extra about Tropilaelaps mite, their life cycle and management strategies.

Varroa mite (Varroa destructor and Varroa jacobsoni)

The way to spot varroa mites

Varroa mites:

• are reddish-brown
• have flat oval our bodies
• are higher in width than size (1.6 x 1.1 millimetre)

Indicators of varroa mites in a colony embrace:

• lifeless mites on the hive ground
• mites present in uncapped drone cells
• deformed wings and stunted abdomens on bees, patchy brood and weakening of the colony

In case you suspect the mite is current inside your colonies it is best to:

• report this to the Nationwide Bee Unit by updating your BeeBase document
• fill within the report kind obtainable on BeeBase, if you’re not registered with the Nationwide Bee Unit

Importing or exporting bees

If you wish to export bees to any nation exterior Nice Britain you should get a well being certificates out of your bee inspector. Learn how to do that on BeeBase web site.

Discover out about importing bees from, or exporting bees to:

Register your beekeeping particulars

In case you’re a beekeeper in England, Scotland or Wales, you’ll be able to assist the NBU monitor and management pests, ailments and supply related data, like native illness alerts, by registering your particulars at BeeBase.

In case you’re a beekeeper in Northern Eire, you’ll be able to register your particulars at DataBees.

England and Wales

E mail: beehealth.information@defra.gov.uk

Phone: 020 8026 3576

Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme helpline: 0800 321 600

Scotland

E-mail: Bees_mailbox@gov.scot

Phone: 0300 244 9151

Northern Eire

E mail: beehealth@daera-ni.gov.uk

Phone: 02890 524168