Hello Beekeepers,
During the past few days two NWIABKA beekeepers reported sick colonies. Attached are photos of frames from the stricken colonies. From observation of the photos it appears to be a brood disease, either European Foulbrood (EFB) or American Foulbrood (AFB). Both diseases will decimate a colony. The pathogens can be transmitted between hives and between bee yards.
Dr. Katie Lee, U of MN Extension Apiculture Educator, says this has been a bad summer for brood diseases. Both EFB and AFB are devastating honey bee diseases that shouldn’t be ignored. Are you seeing frames in hives like those in the attached photos? The attached Reading the Comb document may be helpful to identify possible disease impacted frames.
The Thursday, July 16, 8 am. Bee Smart Zoom meeting topics:
Zoom link: Available to paid Members.
- Identifying brood diseases
- Managing infected colonies and bee yards to control spread of diseases
- Requeening queenless colonies – is it necessary?
- Preventing bee loss from aerial spraying
- Answering beekeeping questions
Attached is a great resource that may be helpful for understanding American Foulbrood (AFB) and European Foulbrood (EFB) – “Identifying and Mitigating Foulbrood in Honey Bee Colonies and Reducing the Use of Antibiotics”.
Happy Beekeeping!
Tim Olsen
Program Coordinator
507-227-5919
