AFB....how easy is it to transfer to other Hives?

EasternShore · September 21, 2008, 07:16:35 PM

Saw AFB today in someones hives.

How concerned should I be about my gloves, suit, hive tool. I'm alittle concerned for my girls.

Should I treat my hives just in case. They look healthy.

JP · September 21, 2008, 07:58:57 PM

Extremely contagious, as long as you didn't touch anything in that yard with your gloves or tools, you're ok. If you did throw those gloves away, torch your tools if metal to kill spores.

...JP

TwT · September 21, 2008, 08:44:19 PM

always make it a practice to keep your hive tools for your hives and other stuff like gloves at your place and don't let any one bring theirs to your place. here most the info you need, look at AFB in section 5, a bunch of topics.

http://maarec.cas.psu.edu/pest&disease/pppdIndex.html

JP · September 21, 2008, 10:53:35 PM

A quick little story. I have a friend and mentor that is a beekeeper by trade, this is how he earns his living. He runs usually around 100 hives are so, doesn't do pollenation, nor does he sell bees, queens etc...

He is very fond of his bees and has much respect and admiration for the insect.

Two state inspectors stopped by one day and wanted to inspect his hives, he told them that he would be opening the hives for them to view things but he wanted them to keep their hands in their pockets as they were checking numerous other bee yards that day and my friend didn't want to take any chances that the inspectors might have some AFB spores on their hands.

One of the inspectors got a little unruly and there was obvious conflict and tension in the air, but the chief inspector told the other guy to go and sit in the car, that he would do the inspecting.

Long story short, inspector said my buddy's bees were the cleanest hives he had ever looked at.

...JP

EasternShore · September 22, 2008, 07:06:37 AM

OK.....now what do I do? 2 of my hives have now been directly exposed. Please adivse me on how much terraimicin to use and how. It's only been a few days since I exposed them. I will change frames out in the spring and torch the hive bodies. I've got new deeps to shake them into. Whats the best way to protect my other hive? How long should I treat them?

Will my honey production for next year be at risk by treating? The good news is these hives were cut outs and very healthy.

What risk is there to any honey products?

Do all hives have the inactive spores present?

EasternShore · September 22, 2008, 06:31:42 PM

I read that AFB does not affect honey so I don't need to worry about that. I'm curious though, as I've been told that all hives have AFB spores present. Is this true?

Michael Bush · September 25, 2008, 09:21:41 PM

http://www.bushfarms.com/beespests.htm#afb

rdy-b · September 25, 2008, 11:23:19 PM

Quote from: EasternShore on September 22, 2008, 07:06:37 AM
OK.....now what do I do? 2 of my hives have now been directly exposed. Please adivse me on how much terraimicin to use and how. It's only been a few days since I exposed them. I will change frames out in the spring and torch the hive bodies. I've got new deeps to shake them into. Whats the best way to protect my other hive? How long should I treat them?

Will my honey production for next year be at risk by treating? The good news is these hives were cut outs and very healthy.

What risk is there to any honey products?

Do all hives have the inactive spores present?

What do you mean Directly exposed -do you mean that you went through them with a dirty hive tool and gloves that where worn when in the AFB colonies-or are your bees robing out honey from the AFB colonies-RDY-B

EasternShore · September 26, 2008, 07:04:02 AM

This post is by Becky.

Unfortunately, Mark brought home a few frames from someone who he later discovered has the AFB pretty bad. He also inspected his hives with tools he used at this beek's house and the gloves that he wore. There was no robbing.

After reading that section from the link that MB posted, he has decided to hold off treating his hives, and will continue to make sure his hives are strong. If he notices that he has AFB, he may decide to combine that weaker hive with a stronger hive, burn the frames, and scorch the deeps. Thanks for that link, it was very helpful. We realize now that we need to be much more diligent in the future, but for now we don't have to worry as much as we were.

Thanks Guys!!
Becky

rdy-b · September 26, 2008, 01:12:14 PM

A lot of keepers get the disease from good deals on used equipment -and find out that new frames are cheap piece of mind for the good health of your hive i am glad you have spent the time to understand what AFB is all about RDY-B

TwT · September 26, 2008, 02:16:03 PM

Quote from: EasternShore on September 26, 2008, 07:04:02 AM
If he notices that he has AFB, he may decide to combine that weaker hive with a stronger hive, burn the frames, and scorch the deeps.

I just figured if my hives ever got it I wouldn't worry about scorching the hive bodies, I would just burn it all, $12 deep aint worth to me isn't worth taking the chance on losing a $60-$70 package or $80-$90 nuc. thats just me though!!!!

KONASDAD · September 26, 2008, 06:06:34 PM

you should call inspector ASAP. You are risking infecting hives all around you. Bees will rob the weak AFB hive and contaminate other bee yard and wild bees too. You need to screen these hives asap. You also need to find out who else bought some of his equipment. AFB seems to be making a comeback here in NJ as well. We as a group need to stop it.

EasternShore · September 26, 2008, 07:07:05 PM

Already called. NO AFB in my hives....apparently. Was just concerned that my tools and gloves might be infected and called just in case. So much to learn...

rdy-b · September 26, 2008, 07:38:59 PM

https://www.dadant.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=716 8-) RDY-B

EasternShore · September 26, 2008, 09:08:27 PM

Thanks Rdy-B! I'll definitely order some of those kits.

Understudy · September 27, 2008, 08:43:32 AM

AFB is highly contagious as I am sure you have gathered from previous posts.

1. Stop wearing gloves.
2. If you go into someone else's hives you need to throughly wash your hands before going into your hives.
3. Don't be to paranoid. While it is contagious it is not running rampant. After talking to my inspector it isn't a huge problem because once it's found everyone freaks out and deals with it. My inspector saw two cases total last year.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

EasternShore · September 27, 2008, 11:07:51 AM

How would you all deal with the person who's hives are infected? This person knows he has it and is unwilling to treat at this time. He has burned the frames he found which were infected and the deeps as well. He has NOT used chemicals so far but I WILL insist he does or no longer assist him.

It's a very sad situation, and I'm really torn about this. If I report him he WILL NEVER speak to me again and he's a very good person and friend.

Please advise me folks..I WILL act on this as you all suggest, so feel free to be blunt. I'm VERY NEW, you all know this. This person is NOT.

I've purchased 4-6.5 oz treatments for him and have no reservations about treating them FOR HIM.

I'm taking a HUGE risk by even discussing this here...

TwT · September 27, 2008, 12:02:14 PM

to keep from steering things up between you and him I would find a place to move my hives for the time being, if he has it like you say its just a matter of time before his and others around will die out, probably this winter, you have to move your hives or him burn his infect stuff! just my 2 pennies worth....

Understudy · September 27, 2008, 01:22:05 PM

If there is an active infection not dealing with it in Florida (at least) can be a criminal issue. So you can either help him treat his hives or risk losing yours and his. In Florida not telling the authorities(Florida Dept. of Ag) will make you an accomplice. If there is an outbreak(it's possible but remote depending on proximity) they can and will trace through every hive in the area for an investigation.

Now that you are paranoid. Let's do the right thing. A sample of suspected brood should be sent in for testing. And the results are the determining factor. If the results come back negative and maybe it is something else then you deal with what it is. if the results come back positive then the simple answer is either destruction or authorized treatment which may include irradiating the hives. It depends on what the authority having jurisdiction apples to this situation. They will have rules that state how the situation must be dealt with.

Time is a factor. A small outbreak can be dealt with pretty neatly. A huge outbreak will close out options.

It is time to get selfish and protect your bees. Friendship is bunk if you have to tap dance around a contagious infection.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

EasternShore · September 27, 2008, 01:36:18 PM

My girls are 28 miles from them. Thank god. Talked to him today and inpections and treatment options will be decided by STATE..not him. I put my rookie foot down as hard as I could.

Only time will tell now.
Updates to follow.