Inspector came out - real nice guy. My hive with the crawlers is really struggling. Inspector said (and showed me) evidence of EFB, he said that shouldn't cause the crawlers though. These bees did barely make it through Winter - very stressed (my fault). My package hive with the Russian queen was a complete fail - no queen, drones and laying workers everywhere, also signs of EFB, one cell was ropey, kinda. My last hive a package Italian looked GREAT. To protect that hive, the failed Russian went right into the soapy water bucket - no point in even shaking them out, it was that bad. Inspector said stress and used equipment probably caused my problems. A frame of comb and jars of bees are off to the testing lab. They will test for diseases and Tracheal mites just in case. Will hear back in a week or so. Antibiotic advised for EFB, if AFB it's bonfire time. Said can treat AFB also, but because AFB produces persistant spores, the "bees will look nice and shiny on the antibiotic, and it will pop right back up when you stop". At least they won't show up like a scene out of "Men in Black" and burn all my hives even if it is AFB. I won't mess around if it is though - infected hives go bye-bye. Oh, he also said that it might be something they are calling for no better term "Snot-Brood" which sound like more of a combination of factors thing. I saved my sticky board from my three day mite count drop and he verified no Varroa present at this time - go figure.
JC