[WayneW]

At the end of last season i noticed quite a few dark streaks on the outside of the hive. Early this year, it was all cleaned off, i'd guess from rain and snow and such.

Now they are back, not as much as last season, but some. Is this something to be concerned about, or is it normal?

 

[Iddee]

It's dysentery. Can be caused by no fly weather for a few days. Can be nosema. Not sure what the difference is. Should clear up within a few days of good flying weather.

 

[WayneW]

On that subject, not to gross anyone out, but is bee poop solid or liquid?

The other day i had a drone take a dump on my hand and it was liquid......... Just curious.

 

[Iddee]

Only one excretion, so it's a mixture. Not separated like urine and feces.

 

[busybee]

So it is like a chickens droppings as they only have one excretion also. Not hard and not liquid of course unless there is a problem.

 

[BjornBee]

Only one excretion, so it's a mixture. Not separated like urine and feces.

So it's #3..... :lol:

 

[notaclue]

Or is it bee poo.1


Sorry, couldn't resist :twisted:

 

[Bcrazy]

In Feb this year I had one colony that had streaks of brown poo all over the frames and none outside. I examined a batch of 30 bees and really it was no suprise that the colony had Nosema. As to which strain I did not bother to find out as to save any suffering to the bees they were all killed with Eythl Acitate, (killing fluid).
Here in the UK the strain Nosema cerana (not sure of spelling) has become more evident than in previous years, and as we know is far more servere than N. apis.

Regards;

 

[BjornBee]

It should be pointed out that dysentery is not always nosema. But nosema will cause dysentery.

Just cause you see dysentery, does not mean you have nosema.