Sept. 1896.] 



FOUL BROOD OR BEE PEST. 



133 



defend its stores, when some neighbouring colony probably 

 robs it, and in doing so carries away the seeds of disease 

 and death, which are thus spread, until all the hives of a 

 neighbourhood may be fatally affected. 



Hives in which foul brood exists give forth a sickly and 

 unpleasant smell, and when the disease is of a malignant type 

 and in a very advanced stage, the foul odour may be frequently 

 detected even at some distance from the entrance. 



, It should be noted that chilled brood must not be mistaken, 

 as it very frequently is, for foul brood. In the former the 

 dead larvae turn first grey, and afterwards become nearly black 

 (never brown, as with foul brood). The larvae, dead from cold, 

 are also generally removed by the bees, but they seldom 

 attempt to carry out those which have died from disease, unless 

 disinfectants to arrest decomposition are used. Adulc as well 

 as immature bees suffer from the pest, but these leave the hive 

 to die. 



Experience has plainly shown that with foul brood — as in 

 all epidemic diseases- — the weak, sickly, and badly nourished 

 are attacked, and become centres of infection to others. So 

 it often happens that as colonies become weak, bees from 

 lieal thy hives rob them of their honey, and thus carry off the 

 germs of the disease along with their ill-gotten gains. 



Another very important point is that the bee-keeper may 

 himself be the means of spreading the pest by indiscriminately 

 manipulating, first diseased, and then healthy hives, without 

 taking proper precautions to disinfect himself and his appliances. 

 Combs which have contained foul brood retain the spores. 

 The queen lays eggs in the cells and the workers deposit their 

 honey and pollen in them. Both honey and pollen in this 

 way become vehicles for the transport of the disease to the 

 larvae in the process of feeding by the nurse bees. Under no 

 consideration should infected hives or combs be knowingly 

 exposed to the visits of bees. Carelessness in this respect may 

 work immense mischief to neighbouring stocks and apiaries. 



In endeavouring to get rid of foui brood, efforts must be 

 made to raise to a high standard the lowered vitality of the 

 bees, which first enabled germs of the disease to get a footing. 

 This will be effected by keeping only strong stocks, with young 

 and prolific queens, and good wholesome food, combined with 

 cleanliness and proper ventilation. 



Foul brood is so extremely contagious that it is advisable 

 at all times to adopt preventive measures s gainst infection. 

 Naphthaline in balls is generally used for this purpose ; two of 

 these, split in half, being the proper dose. The pieces are placed 

 on the floorboard of the hive in the corner farthest from the 

 entrance. The temperature of the hive causes the naphthaline 

 to evaporate, and it must be, therefore, renewed as required. 

 All syrup used for feeding should also be medicated with 

 naphthol beta. When the bee-keeper has been in contact with 

 diseased stocks, clothes, appliances, and hands must be washed 



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