PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THE SPREAD OF BROOD DISEASES

• Keep the apiary clean and tidy. Do not throw propolis or burr comb on the ground where it may be robbed. Place it in a suitable container and remove from the apiary.
• Do not buy colonies of bees except from disease-free apiaries. Do not accept swarms of unknown origin.
• Do not buy old combs without knowing the disease history.
• Disinfect secondhand equipment before use.
• Do not feed honey or pollen from doubtful sources.
• If a colony dies, close the hive pending an examination and to prevent remaining stores from being robbed.
• Do not exchange brood or super combs unless they are from disease-free colonies.
• Prevent robbing at all times.
• Minimize drifting as much as possible.
• Inspect your own colonies for disease and do not wait for someone else to do it for you. Always keep a careful watch for signs of disease. If you see suspicious signs of diseases, call upon your apiary inspector for advice and assistance.

DIRECTIONS FOR SENDING DISEASED HONEY BEES FOR DIAGNOSIS

Samples of Adult Honey Bees

	Send at least 100 bees and if possible, select bees that are dying or that died recently. Decayed bees are not satisfactory for examination.
	Bees should be placed in 70% ethyl or methyl alcohol as soon as possible after collection and carefully packed in leak-proof containers.
	Alternatively, bees can be placed in a paper bag or loosely wrapped in a paper towel, newspaper, etc. and sent in a mailing tube or heavy cardboard box. AVOID using plastic bags, aluminum foil, waxed paper, tin, glass, etc. because they promote decomposition.

 

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Samples of Brood

• The sample of comb should be at least 2 X 2 inches and contain as much of the dead or discolored brood as possible. NO HONEY SHOULD BE PRESENT IN THE SAMPLE.
• The comb can be in a paper bag or loosely wrapped in a paper towel, newspaper, etc. and sent in a heavy cardboard box. AVOID wrappings such as plastic, aluminum foil, waxed paper, tin, glass, etc. because they promote decomposition.
• If a comb cannot be sent, the probe used to examine a diseased larva in the cell may contain enough material for tests. The probe can be wrapped in paper and sent to the laboratory in an envelope.

 

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How to Address Samples

• Send all samples to:

Bee Disease Diagnosis
Bee Research Laboratory
Bldg. 476, BARC-East
Beltsville, MD 20705

• A short description of the problem along with your name and address should be attached to the package.
• There is no charge for this service.