Diseases

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Pathogens and pests affecting bees are responsible for a large portion of the high colony losses recorded in recent years. Many types of organisms find refuge in colonies and can cause diseases there. These include, for example, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and mites. They affect both adult bees and immature stages, that is, the brood. It is the beekeeper’s responsibility to monitor the health of their colonies and take action in the event of disease.

• Bee Health Guide

  The Bee Research Center has updated the Bee Health Guide. The publication contains descriptions of honeybee diseases, the legal framework, and the necessary measures to take in the event of an infestation.

  Our Bee Health Guide is designed to aid in the recognition, diagnosis, prevention, and control of diseases and pests. It provides useful information not only for beekeepers but also for advisors and inspectors. All diseases and parasitic infections currently known in Switzerland are described in this guide, and detailed information is available on our website. This enables beekeepers to fulfill their responsibility for the health of their colonies with full knowledge of the facts. Other pests not yet observed in Switzerland are also presented so that the beekeeping community can recognize and report a new infestation in a timely manner, thereby maximizing the chances of preventing the establishment of additional problematic organisms.

• Control and treatments

  According to the Ordinance on Epizootics, beekeepers must properly maintain both occupied and unoccupied hives and take all necessary measures to prevent the hive from becoming a source of epizootic disease transmission. Recognizing bee diseases and knowing effective control and prevention methods are essential for ensuring bee health and good beekeeping practices. Diseases spread not only very rapidly within hives but also between hives. Since bees can fly long distances, raid neighboring colonies, or drift into them, there is a significant risk that a large number of colonies and apiary sites will be affected by a disease or epizootic.
  When combined with beekeepers’ relocation of hives to follow nectar flows and the high density of apiary sites in Switzerland, the prevention of epizootics and diseases is even more critical for bees than for other livestock. The movement of livestock can, in fact, be more easily restricted through quarantine.
  The legal framework governing the control of bee diseases is set forth in the Epizootic Diseases Act of July 1, 1966,2 RS 916.40 (LFE), and in the Epizootic Diseases Ordinance1 of June 27, 1995, RS 916.401 (OFE).

  Tierseuchengesetz (German, French and Italian)

  Tierseuchenverordnung (German, French and Italian)

  For disease prevention and control measures, consult our bee health guide and the brochures from the Bee Health Service (SSA).

  The list of products that may be used for disease control is maintained by the CRA and the Bee Health Service, which also provides checklists for disease control.

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