Visual inspections

Basic principles of beehive inspections

Beekeepers need to understand two basic principles when carrying out beehive inspections for AFB. The first is that frames cannot be properly searched for disease symptoms unless the bees are shaken off the combs. The second is that the more brood frames that are inspected, the greater are the chances of correctly identifying an AFB hive.

Work in an orderly fashion

To carry out a visual inspection easily and efficiently, it is important to work the hive in an orderly fashion.

The inspection procedure should begin by removing all supers above the bottom box (as the lowest box containing brood), and stacking them to one side on the up-turned lid. This divides up the bee population in the hive, and eliminates the potential for overcrowding of bees. (If the hive is worked directly from the top box, a high proportion of house bees will be driven down during the inspection process, eventually crowding the bottom box and making it far more difficult to work and increasing the chance of killing or damaging the queen.)

Once the bottom brood super is exposed, one or two outside frames should be carefully removed from this super and propped on their side against the box and near the hive entrance. This creates a working space in the box that can be used when shaking bees off the brood frames. It also allows the frames to be separated before being removed, reducing the possibility that the queen will be crushed.

Putting the frames near the hive entrance may ensure the queen bee can return to her colony if she falls off the comb.

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AFB Videos
Videos

Our videos cover everything from your legal obligations to how to recognise AFB, collecting cell and bee samples and more.

AFB Symptoms
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.

AFB Inspection and Diagnosis
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.

AFB Law
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.

AFB Elimination
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 Course Info
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.

AFB App
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.

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