Apis mellifera lives in large communities with many little bodies confined in a nest (or hive) in an atmosphere which is both warm and fairly humid - ideal conditions for the multiplication and spread of pathogens. Notwithstanding varroa mites, how domost colonies manage to stay reasonably healthy most of the time? Keeping bees in hives is an artificial situation and can upset the balance that exists between bees, environment and pathogens. By what methods does the colony as a whole unit, and the individual bee, stay healthy? What factors can impact on this?
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