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Pear drop smell in bee hive?

 
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Grenwich



Joined: 20 Jan 2008
Posts: 151
Location: Leicestershire
PostPosted: Thu Jun 19, 08 9:23 am    Post subject: Pear drop smell in bee hive? Reply with quote
    

Does anybody know what this means please? I'm sure I've heard about it in the past but can't find anything on it in my books. I suspect it's an indication of a disease (grooooaaaaaan), as they're not doing too well at the moment.

vegplot



Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd
PostPosted: Thu Jun 19, 08 10:07 am    Post subject: Re: Pear drop smell in bee hive? Reply with quote
    

Grenwich wrote:
Does anybody know what this means please? I'm sure I've heard about it in the past but can't find anything on it in my books. I suspect it's an indication of a disease (grooooaaaaaan), as they're not doing too well at the moment.


The pear drop smell may be isoamyl acetate (used in pear drops).

"Isoamyl acetate is released by a honey bee's sting apparatus where it serves as a pheromone beacon to attract other bees and provoke them to sting"

Perhaps there was an invader in your hive.

Tavascarow



Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall
PostPosted: Thu Jun 19, 08 12:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

New to me.
Definately one to open & investigate further.

Grenwich



Joined: 20 Jan 2008
Posts: 151
Location: Leicestershire
PostPosted: Thu Jun 19, 08 8:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

OK thanks guys, will need to do a bit more research. G .

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35056
Location: Devon
PostPosted: Thu Jun 19, 08 8:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Grenwich wrote:
OK thanks guys, will need to do a bit more research. G .


I'm going to our apiary on Sunday. I'll enquire for you.

Mrs Fiddlesticks



Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 10460

PostPosted: Thu Jun 19, 08 8:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

thinking back to something someone said about homebrew smelling like that once - you don't think some honey has got wet and fermented do you?

Grenwich



Joined: 20 Jan 2008
Posts: 151
Location: Leicestershire
PostPosted: Mon Jun 23, 08 12:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Mrs Fiddlesticks wrote:
thinking back to something someone said about homebrew smelling like that once - you don't think some honey has got wet and fermented do you?


Hi Mrs. F. I don't think they got wet. The hive is intact with the top weighted with a brick, and sloping slightly down towards the entrance so windblown rain shouldn't be problem. Its just that, because theyre not doing so well, I want to combine them with a swarm I nabbed but won't do so if the smell indicates a disease. I'm going to give it a go anyway thisafternoon & see what happens. G.

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