There is a strong temptation for new beekeepers to worry that their hive has every bee disease known to humans and then some. The truth of the matter is that honey bees are usually pretty healthy. You are likely to encounter the Varroa mite, so we encourage you to know about them and their life cycle; American Foul Brood is a contagious and reportable bee disease, so you should 1) know that it exists, and 2) know a bit about the symptoms, and 3) know that most beekeepers have never seen it. If you are starting with bees, it is far more essential to know what healthy brood and bees look like. If you think something is off, review the pests and diseases listed here - we’ve tried to include most and provide Maine-specific information where applicable.