Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
One diagnostic technique for American Foulbrood is what is commonly called the rope
test. Shortly after the cell is capped the larva dies and its body becomes jellylike. Poke
a small twig or toothpick through the wax capping and carefully stir it around. With-
draw the probe very slowly, and the sticky mass of dead larva will cling to the probe.
The color will be coffee brown or dark gray, and it will draw out of the cell ½″ to 1″
(1.3 to 2.5 cm) before it snaps back. Though distinctive, this isn't the definitive test for
AFB. If the rope test is positive, you should check for signs of this disease in all your
colonies.
Avoiding AFB
American Foulbrood annually infests between two and five percent of all colonies
in the United States. Considering the ease with which it is spread this very low rate
can be attributed primarily to early detection and destruction of infested equipment
by both beekeepers and state department of agriculture-sponsored inspection ser-
vices.
Here are some tips for avoiding AFB:
• Never, ever buy used equipment—no matter how well you know the beekeeper,
no matter how attractive the price, even if it's from your brother.
• Make sure your colonies are registered with your state inspection service (See
Bee Culture
magazine, page 199, for information.) so they are inspected by
a trained inspector who can help with identifying problems and suggest treat-
ment options legal in your state.
• Seek out queen producers who sell queens that generate bees with strong hy-
gienic behavior.
• Routinely inspect the broodnest (every ten days to two weeks, minimum) look-
ing for spotty brood patterns, brood that's not glistening white, and sunken cap-
pings.
• If available, contact your local inspector if you find suspect cells (see photos
for examples).
• If AFB is confirmed, burn.
