LINK BETWEEN HYPERACIDITY AND FUNGAL INFECTIONS IN BEE HIVES

Abstract

Ascopherosis, Aspergillus and other fungal diseases of bees and brood are not only difficult to cure diseases, but also have a high degree of danger to humans. The causes of the disease are usually simple, but not immediately visible. It turns out that this is largely the result of beekeeper mistakes. A combination of factors, such as improper operation of the hive, high humidity, lack of sufficient insolation and increased acidity in the hives due to the regular use of acid-based preparations, lead to the creation of conditions favorable for the growth of pathogenic fungi, which are always present in the hives as part of its natural microbiota. Thus, for an environmentally friendly fight against them, it is necessary to use such preventive methods as placing the apiary in a dry and sunny place so that the humidity is not excessive, and to the sun, if possible, which disinfects the hives and the ground around them, to using clean, young honeycombs in which there is no environment for fungal growth, to improve ventilation of hives during the main honey flow, to increase the temperature inside the hive, which will make it uncomfortable for fungal growth, to carry out preventive treatment of hives with alkaline preparations based on baking soda and soap solutions. All this will help to reduce the use of “heavy” chemicals to combat fungal bee diseases, and will help to prevent illness of people working with bees and of people using honey for food