Managing bee health : a practical guide for beekeepers

The crucial role that bees play in the Earth's ecosystem is well known. Over the last decades a dramatic decrease in bee health has been seen on a global scale. This deterioration is seen on a global scale in both domestic and wild bees, precipitating a wider ecological impact. Veterinarians, animal scientists and bee husbandry specialists increasingly need to be provided with the skills to investigate and understand the situation. This book provides an overview of the health of bees at individual and hive level, covering common and emerging diseases and preventive measures. Author Carr begins with an overall analysis of bee anatomy and physiology, then moves to discuss the main diseases and pathogens of bees and colonies and how to treat and control their clinical impact. Also provided are insights on bee nutrition, insect interaction with flowering plants, and helpful points of contact to report suspected conditions, such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Managing Bee Health is a most useful guide for beekeepers, advisors, veterinarians and beekeeping enthusiasts, showing practical ways to understand bee health, treat sick or compromised hives and enhance the well-being and welfare of these wonderful creatures. John Carr is a specialised population medicine veterinary surgeon. He has taught production medicine and bee medicine at several universities around the world. [Subject: Apiology, Veterinary Medicine] Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Contents Acknowledgements Image credits Note to the reader Author’s biography Dedication 1 Introduction and Anatomy of Bees Anatomy of the bee The anatomy of the adult (imago) worker honey bee Other bees 2 Managing the Health of Bees – Nutrition To provide sufficient nutrition how much space is required for each hive? Major components of nutrition Measuring the quality of honey: from a human perspective Monitoring hive health and food resources 3 Understanding Health and Disease Definition of health The causes of disease Infectious agents How infectious agents are spread Understanding cleaning Possible sources of pathogen entry into your apiary and what you should consider in order to prevent it Reducing the pathogen load in a hive Workshop Killing bees 4 Treating Sick and Compromised Hives Legal requirements How medicines are prescribed Understanding dosage levels Controlling and storing medicines Antibacterial medicines and their uses 5 Managing the Health of the Brood Normal brood Disorders of the brood 6 Managing the Health of the Adult Bee The life cycle of the honey bee The life cycle of the bumblebee Ageing bees Disorders of the adult bee 7 Managing the Health of the Hive As a Whole The normal honey bee hive Man-made bee hives Where to place the hive Wild Apis hives Disorders of the hive and nest 8 OIE and International Bee Health OIE list of honey bee pathogens, 2015 Global situation Different countries Reporting a suspected notifiable condition 9 Poisoning of Bees Toxic chemicals Natural poisons Physical problems Action if you believe your bees have been poisoned Treatment options 10 Bees As Neighbours Being a good neighbour Managing a sting Bees as deterrents Best time to examine the hive Neighbours can be good to you 11 Maintaining Health Integrated pest management (IPM) Maintenance of hive health How to examine the hive on a normal day Basic hive examination when nothing is suspected as a problem How to clinically examine the hive in detail The hive through the year 12 Techniques Conversion tables Reviewing the health of the hive Feeding the hive Properties of honey Examination of pollen Manipulating the queen Integrated pest management Collecting honey Miscellaneous Further reading Index The crucial role that bees play in the Earth's ecosystem is well known. Over the last decades a dramatic decrease in bee health has been seen on a global scale. This deterioration is seen on a global scale in both domestic and wild bees, precipitating a wider ecological impact. Veterinarians, animal scientists and bee husbandry specialists increasingly need to be provided with the skills to investigate and understand the situation; Managing Bee Health aims to provide an overview of the health of bees at individual and hive level, covering common and emerging diseases and preventive measures. Beginning with an overall analysis of bee anatomy and physiology, then deals with the main diseases and pathogens of bees and colonies and how to treat and control their clinical impact. Providing insights on bee nutrition, insect interaction with flowering plants, and presenting helpful points of contact to report suspected conditions, such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The book looks at the global pathogen status of bees, including not only the honeybee (Apis mellifera) but also other members of the Apis family. Managing Bee Health is a most useful guide for beekeepers, advisors, veterinarians and beekeeping enthusiasts, showing practical ways to understand bee health, treat sick or compromised hives and enhance the wellbeing and welfare of these wonderful creatures. "The crucial role that bees play in the Earth's ecosystem is well known. Over the last decades a dramatic decrease in bee health has been seen on a global scale. This deterioration is seen on a global scale in both domestic and wild bees, precipitating a wider ecological impact. Veterinarians, animal scientists and bee husbandry specialists increasingly need to be provided with the skills to investigate and understand the situation; Managing Bee Health aims to provide an overview of the health of bees at individual and hive level, covering common and emerging diseases and preventive measures. Beginning with an overall analysis of bee anatomy and physiology, the book then deals with the main diseases and pathogens of bees and colonies and how to treat and control their clinical impact. Providing insights on bee nutrition, insect interaction with flowering plants, and presenting helpful points of contact to report suspected conditions, such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The book looks at the global pathogen status of bees, including not only the honeybee (Apis mellifera) but also other members of the Apis family."--Page 4 of cover "The crucial role that bees play in the Earth's ecosystem is well known. Over the last decades a dramatic decrease in bee health has been seen on a global scale. This deterioration is seen on a global scale in both domestic and wild bees, precipitating a wider ecological impact. Veterinarians, animal scientists and bee husbandry specialists increasingly need to be provided with the skills to investigate and understand the situation; Managing Bee Health aims to provide an overview of the health of bees at individual and hive level, covering common and emerging diseases and preventive measures. Beginning with an overall analysis of bee anatomy and physiology, then deals with the main diseases and pathogens of bees and colonies and how to treat and control their clinical impact. Providing insights on bee nutrition, insect interaction with flowering plants, and presenting helpful points of contact to report suspected conditions, such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The book looks at the global pathogen status of bees, including not only the honeybee (Apis mellifera) but also other members of the Apis family."--Page 4 de la couverture