American foulbrood
American foulbrood (AFB) is a highly infectious disease deadly to honeybee larvae and is far more serious than European foulbrood (EFB). AFB can destroy entire apiaries of strong honeybee colonies and is the most widespread of honeybee brood diseases. Unlike other bee diseases, AFB can persist in a contagious form for up to 60 years, surviving in a dormant stage as spores. American foulbrood is introduced into a bee colony through transmission of the spores, which are formed by the bacterium bacillus larvae. The vegetative (adult) stage of bacillus larvae is not infectious to honeybees. Although adult bees are not directly affected by American foulbrood, the colony will eventually die through lack of brood, which are all killed by the disease.
AFB spores are highly resistant to drying, heating, and attempts to disinfect with chemicals. The only known effective treatment of AFB is complete destruction of the infected hives by burning them. Spores are introduced into non-infected hives by foreign bees already infested with AFB, use of infected equipment, or hive hardware or extractors bearing the spores. Beekeepers using contaminated equipment are the greatest cause for the spread of AFB. Sloppy beekeeper practices that commonly spread AFB include: using beekeeping equipment among multiple apiary locations; sharing honey extraction equipment between beekeepers; and using hive woodenware from infected apiaries.
The only methods of combating AFB are preventive measures. Good beekeeping practices, including avoiding sharing beekeeping equipment and hive hardware among multiple apiaries, are the most effective methods. The judicious and timely use of preventive medication has also proven to be an invaluable tool in curbing the spread of this deadly honeybee blight. Preventive medication is available in several forms of terramycin. By far, the easiest and most effective means of administering terramycin is with extender patties; they don't require mixing with syrup and the terramycin doesn't quickly lose its efficacy quickly as it does when the powdered form is mixed in sugar syrup. You should feed each colony an extender patty in early spring, before the first honeyflow starts, and in late fall, after the last honeyflow and honey harvest.
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Topic: hive treatments (Read 2896 times)