Eliminating AFB in Beekeeping Outfits
The cause of most AFB occurrences
One basic understanding underlies all successful beekeeping management techniques designed to reduce and eliminate AFB. The understanding is simple and straightforward, but nevertheless tends to be either down-played or dismissed by some beekeepers.
This understanding is as follows: Most hives become infected because a beekeeper has put bees, honey or equipment into it from another hive that had AFB. Most AFB infections in honey bee colonies are the result of the beekeeping practices that are carried out on those colonies.
What is the incidence of AFB?
If the incidence of AFB in a beekeeper’s hives is remaining stable, then the beekeeper is probably infecting clean colonies at the same rate that diseased colonies are being found and destroyed. If the incidence is increasing, then the beekeeper is infecting more colonies than are being found and destroyed. To alter the situation, the beekeeper can take either one or both of the following approaches:
- Modify the number and effectiveness of disease inspections to find more AFB hives earlier
- Change management practices to slow the spread of the disease.
The most effective ways to combat American foulbrood disease in any beekeeping outfit are to:
- Conduct a complete brood inspection before anything is removed from a hive; and
- Reduce the exchange of equipment between colonies as much as possible.
Take the AFB 5 minute quiz
How well do you know what you need to know about AFB and beekeeping? Take our short quiz and find out.
Videos
Our videos cover everything from your legal obligations to how to recognise AFB, collecting cell and bee samples and more.
Symptoms
There’s a lot of good information here, telling you everything you need to know about recognising AFB: the visual symptoms, smell of AFB and more.
Inspection and Diagnosis
Successfully eliminate AFB by telling the difference between symptoms of AFB and other brood diseases in the hive. We tell you the best methods for inspecting your hives.
The Law
New Zealand beekeepers have a number of legal obligations that must be met regarding AFB disease. Read the shortened list in summary, here.
Elimination
Most hives become infected because bees, honey or equipment have been put into a hive from another hive that is infected with AFB. Lower your chances of an AFB infection by reading this section.
AFB Recognition Course Info
Find out when the next AFB Recognition and Competency Courses, or Refresher Courses are available. These are held throughout the year in various New Zealand locations across the South Island and North Island.
The AFB App
Follow the link below to open the App. Once open to save to your device you need to bookmark the URL on your phone so you can find it easily again. Please click here to open.