Nosema management

Address Nosema infection to reduce colony stress that contributes to drone brood die-off. Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis are microsporidian gut parasites that weaken adult bees, impairing their ability to nurse brood properly. When nurse bees are compromised, drone larvae receive inadequate feeding and thermoregulation, leading to brood mortality.

Why It Works

Healthy nurse bees are essential for feeding drone larvae royal jelly during the first three days and bee bread thereafter. Reducing Nosema spore loads restores normal nurse bee function, improving brood survival rates across the colony.

Tips

• Diagnose Nosema by submitting bee samples to a lab for spore counts; treat when counts exceed 1 million spores per bee
• Promote natural Nosema resistance by requeening with hygienic stock
• Replace old, darkened comb every 2-3 years to reduce spore reservoirs
• Ensure good ventilation in hives to reduce moisture, which promotes Nosema proliferation
• Provide protein-rich pollen substitutes in spring to strengthen nurse bee health