Nosema question

[Rabbitdog]

Last fall was the first fall that I did not treat my colonies with powdered sugar and antibiotic.  So far, so good.  But I was wondering if I should give them a dose now.  I don't see any signs of a problem with dysentery (but honestly I can't say I would know it if I saw it).  Any thoughts?

Firetool, I'll email you re apple trees separately, so I don't clutter up the forum.

[Robo]

Last fall was the first fall that I did not treat my colonies with powdered sugar and antibiotic.  So far, so good.  But I was wondering if I should give them a dose now.  I don't see any signs of a problem with dysentery (but honestly I can't say I would know it if I saw it).  Any thoughts?

Firetool, I'll email you re apple trees separately, so I don't clutter up the forum.

First of all,  when you say treated with powdered sugar and antibiotics, I assume you mean Terramycin, which is treatment for foulbrood not Nosema.

There is really no easy way for the average beekeeper to tell if his bees have Nosema,  other than signs of a dwindling springtime population.  The bees get it from cleaning up the feces from infected/dying bees.  Therefore, if your hive is suffering from Dysentery (dark brown feces stains in and on the outside of the hive)  there is a higher risk for Nosema.