Managing Pests, Parasites & Disease
Nosema
Nosema is one of the most prevalent infections in honey bees in New York. It is caused by two species of fungal gut parasites, Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae. Both parasites can kill colonies that are unable to clear the infection.
Varroa Mites
Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) are the most devastating threat to honey bees and are ubiquitous throughout New York.
American Foulbrood
American foulbrood (AFB) is a destructive, worldwide bacterial disease that infects and kills larvae. Colonies inevitably die either because adults are no longer replaced or because there are too few of them to protect against robbing. The bacterium that causes this disease, Paenibacillus larvae, can infect colonies at any time of the year.
European Foulbrood
European foulbrood (EFB) is a bacterial infection that negatively impacts honey bee colonies world-wide. The disease infects larvae and is caused by the bacterium Melissococcus plutonius.
Think your bees are suffering from pests, parasites or disease?
Need to find a bee vet in your area?
True or False?
Beekeepers need a veterinarian's prescription before they can use antibiotics to treat a disease in one of their colonies.
True!
Since 2017, the FDA requires all livestock receiving “medically important” antibiotics to have a prescription or veterinary feed directive. This includes honey bees! Learn more on our honey bee veterinarians page.