What should a beekeeper look for as indicators of disease in the hive?

When evaluating the indicators of disease in a hive, one of the most telling signs is the presence of dead or scattered brood. Healthy brood should appear uniform in size and development, with larvae at various stages being well-fed and cared for by the worker bees. If a beekeeper observes dead or scattered brood, it suggests potential issues such as disease, nutritional deficiencies, or environmental stressors adversely affecting the hive.

Dead or scattered brood can signal specific diseases like American Foulbrood or Chalkbrood, which can result in either the larvae not developing properly or dying before reaching maturity. The presence of unhealthy brood patterns serves as a crucial early warning that immediate action may be necessary to inspect the hive further and take appropriate measures to address any diseases, such as replacing unhealthy frames, requeening, or treating the hive with medication.

In contrast, healthy brood indicates a potentially thriving hive, fresh nectar indicates foraging activity and good environmental conditions, and the presence or absence of drones provides information about the hive's reproductive health but is not a direct indicator of disease. Therefore, the observation of dead or scattered brood is a primary indicator that a beekeeper should carefully monitor for diseases within the hive.