Lab Tests

[John Sabat]

Is there anywhere in NC that I can send a sampling of dead bees to be tested to determine what is the cause of death? Everyday there are 300 or more dead bees on the ground in front of the hive and a few that have died on the landing. The workers bring one out approx every 30 sec and try to carry off but too heavy. Many are just crawling around on the ground in front of the hive and cannot fly. I suspect pesticide as the queen is still laying eggs, brood is hatching and the foragers are bringing in lots of pollen. This is the only hive I have in the area of the county. None of the rest of my hives are experiencing this event. I think the foragers are getting poisoned somewhere and are living long enough to get back to the hive, weaken and die either inside or outside before gaining entry.

[Kurt Bower]

This is definitely something for our State inspectors to handle. THey have the lab facilities and can even pick up samples if necessary.
Contact Don Hopkins
919-233-8214
919-218-3310 cell

Kurt

[Ron Young]

Any change in this hive. I have one hive that has several bees in the grass in the front of the hive, with some crawlers. It is too cold yet to look inside, however, the slatted rack is visible through the screened bottomboard, and there is a large cluster on it. An ear to the side gives a good buzz from top to bottom.

This particular hive was wintered in two deeps, and one medium. When I inspected them about 3-4 weeks ago I had eggs in both deeps, and capped brood in both deeps, and the medium. The bee population was very strong and I gave them a second medium for room.

I almost want to say it is due to the weather extremes that we have had? Any thoughts.

[John Sabat]

Not much change yet. I did move them away from their initial location to a site 2 miles away. I am still having a large number of bees die inside the hive each day to be brought out and dumped but there continues to be a significant amount of pollen being brought in and other flying activity. If it is pesticides at the orginal location then I would guess it will take a full life cycle to see a change in death rate. That should be around 6 to 8 weeks I figure. Still none other of my hives are experiencing this event. News at eleven!