Honey Bee Diseases & Pests Chart
- Marta Soltyszewska
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
A Simple Tool for Identifying Honey Bee Health Issues
Every beekeeper knows how quickly a hive can decline if pests or diseases take hold. Spotting the first signs and taking the right action is critical. This clear, practical chart gives beekeepers a fast way to match visible hive symptoms with common honey bee diseases and pests.
Download the full chart here:
How to Use the Honey Bee Diseases & Pests Chart
The chart organizes key symptoms across a wide range of bee diseases and pests—from American foulbrood to Varroa mites, Nosema, and even environmental stresses like starvation or overcrowding. Simply scan the symptom columns and cross-reference them with the listed conditions. The chart highlights typical appearance, behavior, seasonality, and prevention tips, making it a one-stop guide for fast diagnosis in the field.
When to Seek Help
If you identify a concerning symptom but are unsure of the cause, or if your hive is not responding to treatment, make sure to reach out to the Connecticut State Bee Inspector for expert support. You can contact Paula Wolf at paula.wolf@ct.gov. Fast intervention can make the difference between losing a colony and helping it recover.
About the Author: Marta Soltyszewska
Marta Soltyszewska, a Cornell-certified Master Beekeeper, is a dedicated backyard beekeeper. She maintains around seven honey bee colonies, housed in Slovenian and Keeper's hives. Her primary objective is to uphold the healthiest colonies achievable, focusing on natural resistance to varroa mites through non-synthetic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. Her secondary aim is to disseminate beekeeping expertise and encourage new generations to take up this enriching hobby, thereby aiding pollinators at large. With a Master Beekeeping certification and an academic background in biology and teaching, including a Master of Science degree from Poland and experience teaching Anatomy and Anthropology at a Polish university, Marta aspires to mentor budding beekeepers.