MillerThousand AnswersBeekeepingQuestions.pdf - BioBees

THOUSAND ANSWERS 97A. The unsealed larva, instead of being pearly white, as in astate of health, is of a distinctly yellow tinge, becoming darkeras it dries, until very dark brown or black.Q. Tell us how to destroy European foulbrood without destroyinga lot of nice, straight combs.A. When I discovered European foulbrood in my apiary, Imelted up hundreds of beautiful worker-combs. If I had it todo over again I would try to save them. I have been blamed forencouraging anything of the kind, because in the hands of carelessbeekeepers there is danger that the disease may be spreadthrough the combs that are saved. But you'll promise to be verycareful, won't you, if I tell you how I would do—how I have done?The first thing is to have the colony strong. Foulbrood is nota great strengthener of colonies, and if it has proceeded to anygreat extent you will need to strengthen the colony by givingbrood or young bees, or both, from healthy colonies, or by unitingdiseased colonies. But, remember, the colony must be strong.The Alexander treatment requires the removal of the queen, andthen 20 days later the giving of a ripe queen-cell or a virgin justhatched of best Italian stock. The bees do the rest. I think Ihave had just as good success without leaving the colony so longwithout a laying queen. So instead of waiting 20 days, give thecolony a cell or a virgin queen just as soon as it will accept itafter the removal of the queen.Sometimes you may find only a single bad cell, or perhaps 8or 10. In that case it may not be necessary to do anything. Aweek or two later you may find that the bees have cleaned outall bad brood and left nothing but healthy brood in the hive.But you may find the case worse than it was, although not yet avery bad case. If the queen is vigorous, and the colony appearsprosperous, cage the queen and leave her in the hive. After acertain period let the queen out of the cage, and if your bees doas mine have done the disease will have disappeared in mostcases. I say after a certain period. I think a week is longenough, but perhaps ten days is better. You notice that I alsosay, "in most, cases." Because in more cases than I like thedisease has reappeared. But so it did in some cases when Ibrushed the bees upon foundation and melted the combs.Q. Colonies have one, two or three cells of European foulbrood,say first of June. If I kill the queen the last half ofclover flow and let these bees rear their own queen, will this cure