How to prevent and control bee diseases in spring? A detailed explanation of integrated control measures
The occurrence of bee diseases is directly related to beekeeping and management techniques. Once a disease breaks out, it will inevitably affect colony growth and economic returns. Especially in northern China, where the temperature difference between early and late spring is large and nectar and pollen sources are scarce, bee colonies are most prone to bee diseases. Therefore, in spring, the measure of "prevention first, treatment as a supplement" should be used to control the occurrence of bee diseases.
Selection and treatment of apiary sites
The basic conditions for beekeepers when choosing a site should be shelter from the wind, facing the sun, and dry terrain. In spring, choose low mountain areas or cutover land with many willow species and mainly Aceraceae plants. Only by ensuring sufficient nectar and pollen sources can strong colonies be bred and @#@255@#@ disease resistance be enhanced. To reduce labor intensity, many beekeepers are accustomed to using sites where bee colonies were placed the previous year. To prevent cross-infection of various diseases among bee colonies (especially chalkbrood), 15 to 20 days before placing the colonies, spray the site with a 1% to 3% caustic soda aqueous solution, and 5 to 7 days later scatter quicklime for disinfection and sterilization. It is best, outside the fire prevention period, to seize the opportunity to burn the site with fire for high-temperature sterilization. After the colonies are placed on the site, dig drainage ditches to ensure smooth water flow on rainy days. Otherwise, the apiary will become damp and induce bee diseases. In addition, the straight-line distance between apiaries should be more than 10 to 15 km to avoid overcrowding of colonies, which can cause cross-infection of bee diseases and serious colony losses.
Adjustment of colonies after removal from overwintering
In the north, after colonies have gone through an overwintering period as long as 120 to 140 days, choose weather with a temperature above 7°C and a light breeze or no wind, and carry out the overwintered colonies to encourage defecation. On that day, clean out all dead bees in the hive, and replace damp brood boxes. Within 3 to 5 days after defecation, treat bee mites 1 to 2 times severely to reduce the harm of bee mites to the colonies and allow the bees to grow healthily. Also, according to whether defecation occurs early or late, as appropriate, confine the queen and control flight. Feeding observations have found that when colonies reproduce early, under conditions of no external nectar or pollen sources and relatively low temperatures, bees nurse large numbers of larvae. Once the weather changes continuously and the bees have no chance to defecate, they develop indigestion or crawling bee disease. Especially during early reproduction, when relying on sugar water, pollen, or pollen substitutes, newly emerged bees have poor physique, and colonies are susceptible to bee diseases. Therefore, early reproduction of colonies is not advocated in northern China.
Create a suitable reproductive environment
In spring, adding pollen combs to a colony marks the beginning of spring reproduction. To prevent bee diseases and promote healthy colony reproduction, first carry out insulation according to the colony strength of the colonies taken out of the cellar. Weak colonies should receive internal and external insulation, and some quicklime should be scattered on the external insulation material. Through years of observation, it has been found that the occurrence of bee diseases is directly related to the long-term use of straw mats as insulation material. To prevent bee diseases, it is best to put weeds cut from the field into woven bags to make mats for internal colony insulation, and choose good weather to frequently dry the insulation material and keep the hive dry. When inspecting colonies, cut out non-breeding drones, because drones have high nutritional demands; in spring, when external nectar and pollen sources are somewhat poor, drone larvae are prone to disease during development. During spring reproduction, if snowy weather occurs, control colony flight. However, do not close the hive entrance, as this easily causes colonies to overheat and results in "patchy brood combs." When temperatures are low, try not to open hives to inspect colonies, to prevent freezing damage to bee larvae.
Promptly cull inferior queens
As is well known, high-quality queens are the key measure for breeding strong colonies, while inferior queens not only fail to build up colony strength but are also a hidden danger that induces bee diseases. Especially in spring, colony strength, external climate, and nectar and pollen sources are not yet sufficient for queen rearing. Therefore, raise more naturally mated hybrid queens with strong disease resistance, promptly cull inferior queens when found, merge colony strength, and control bee diseases induced by queen factors.
In colony feeding and management, preventing bee diseases is a long-term task. No link can be neglected. Always do a good job in preventing bee diseases so that colonies can reproduce healthily and grow strong, thereby producing high-quality bee products and increasing beekeeping income.