Well done gavin on setting up this forum, a Scottish beekeeping forum has been long overdue. To stimulate some discussion, has anyone noticed increased cases of dysentery this winter? I have 2 of my hives with the tell tale brown stains (excrement) around the entrance/front of hive. I know there are several reasons for dysentery but the obvious one that jumps out at me is the very bad winter we are in the midst of, with the bees not having many opportunities to leave the hive to defecate. This means the abdomen is likely to be distended and Yates states that when the rectum weight of the bee equals a third weight of the bee comb soiling starts, half weight of the bee dysentery is certain. The books say there is not much you can do to treat dysentery, just that 'warm syrup is said to be helpful'. I am leaving them be for now but will have a look inside on the first mild day before I decide what to do. cheers, ajtony