Due to the fact that the disease is widely spread over the state, 

 and that it is likely to make its appearance at any time, in the 

 apiary of the small beekeeper as well as in that of the commercial 

 honey-producer, it is essential that every beekeeper know how to 

 diagnose and treat it. Eternal A^giiance is the price of success, 

 and only the careful and watchful beekeeper can hope to keep his 

 apiaries free from disease. 



It is not the purpose of this circular to give a scientific discussion 

 of bee diseases or a detailed description of the various symptoms, 

 but rather to give a brief discussion of the characteristics, diagnosis 

 and treatment of the various bee diseases, with a view toward 

 helping the beekeeper in diagnosing and treating them. Those 

 who wish more detailed information should secure bulletins from 

 the Department of Agriculture at Washington. 



Diseases of Bees 



The diseases of bees can be divided into two general classes; 

 those affecting the adult bees and those affecting the brood. The 

 diseases of adult bees in this country are not generally considered 

 very serious and comparatively little is known concerning them. 

 On the other hand, the brood diseases are far more destructive, 

 and considerable study has been made of them, which has given us 

 valuable information as to their nature, manner of spreading and 

 methods of control. 



BROOD DISEASES 



There are three diseases of the brood of bees with which the 

 beekeeper should be familiar; namely, American foulbrood, 

 European foulbrood and sacbrood. Of these, American foulbrood 

 is by far the most destructive, and the most difScult to control. 

 European foulbrood often spreads rapidly throughout the apiary 

 and causes great destruction, but is more easily controlled than 

 American foulbrood. Sacbrood seldom causes serious loss, but it 

 is sometimes confused with American foulbrood. 



AMERICAN FOULBROOD 



American foulbrood is the most deadly and the most difficult to 

 control of all the brood diseases. Although it often spreads slowly, 

 when it once gains a foothold in the apiary prompt treatment is 

 necessary if it is to be eradicated. It may spread to other colonies, 

 and as these become weakened they are likely to be robbed out 

 and thus infect the entire apiary. The infected equipment also 

 must be treated, as the spores are very resistant and will live in 

 old combs and equipment for an indefinite period of time. 



American foulbrood is caused by a spore-forming bacterium. 

 Bacillus larvae, which enters the young larva during the feeding 

 period, where it lies dormant until conditions become favorable for 

 its growth. When the sugar content of the larva or pupa becomes 

 sufficiently reduced, the spores germinate and the organisms 



