Chloe Zhang
American foulbrood (AFB) is a bacterial disease that attacks honey bee larvae, weakening the colony and leading to its death. It is highly contagious and can wreak havoc on bee colonies. To prevent the spread of AFB, it is crucial to disinfect all equipment and hive components, including plastic. While plastic hive components cannot be burned as they pose an environmental hazard, they can be disinfected using a bleach solution or gamma irradiation. This paragraph will discuss the steps beekeepers can take to effectively disinfect plastic hive components and prevent the spread of American foulbrood.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bleach solution strength | 50 ppm |
| Bleach solution time | 20 minutes |
| Bleach concentration | 5.25% sodium hypochlorite |
| Plastic bagging | Double-bag in heavy plastic bags |
| Waste disposal | Transport to a waste facility for witnessed burial |
| Storage | Carefully store in a bee-free place |
| Irradiation | Expose to 10 kilorays of gamma irradiation or dry heat at 266˚F (130˚C) |
| Alcohol | Clean with isopropyl alcohol |
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What You'll Learn
Bleach and water solution: 10:1 ratio for 5 minutes
To disinfect plastic from American Foulbrood, a common recommendation is to use a solution with a ratio of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. This is a 10:1 ratio. This solution is effective for general sanitizing tasks, such as cleaning countertops, sinks, and other frequently touched surfaces.
When preparing the solution, it is important to ensure that the bleach product is a sodium hypochlorite-based disinfecting bleach. Most household bleach contains 5%–9% sodium hypochlorite. The concentration of the bleach solution can be confirmed using chlorine test strips. If the concentration is too low, more bleach can be added and then retested. It is also important to use cool water, as hot water can degrade the effectiveness of the bleach.
Before applying the bleach and water solution, the plastic surface should be prewashed or wiped to remove any visible dirt or debris. The solution can then be applied by sponging, mopping, or spraying it onto the surface. It is important to ensure that the surface remains wet during the contact time of the disinfectant.
For the 10:1 bleach and water solution, a contact time of 5 minutes is recommended. After the contact time has passed, the surface should be rinsed with clean water and allowed to air dry. It is important to note that the bleach and water solution should be prepared fresh daily, as it breaks down quickly into salt and water after being mixed.
It is crucial to prioritize safety when working with bleach. Good ventilation is essential, and windows and doors should be opened to allow fresh air to circulate. It is also recommended to wear protective equipment, such as gloves and eye protection. Bleach should not be mixed with other cleaners or disinfectants, as this can release dangerous vapors.
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Gamma irradiation: 10 kilorays to sterilize infected hives
American foulbrood (AFB) is a bacterial brood disease that results from the infection of honey bee larvae with Paenibacillus larvae. While it only attacks larvae, AFB weakens the colony and can quickly lead to its death in only three weeks. The bacteria can remain dormant in colonies or used equipment for 70 or more years.
Gamma irradiation is a safe and effective way to sterilize infected hives. Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation that passes readily through plastics and kills bacteria by breaking the covalent bonds of bacterial DNA. The dose required to sterilize hives infected with AFB is 10 kilorays (kGy). This dose has been shown to be effective in treating AFB-contaminated comb and rendering the fungus Ascosphaera apis (CB), the microsporidian gut parasite Nosema ceranae, and Deformed wing virus (DWV) inactive.
Gamma irradiation provides several benefits, including cost savings and sterility assurance. It can be applied under safe and controlled operating parameters, and there is no residual radioactivity after irradiation. The radiation dose can be measured in each batch using detectors called dosimeters, enabling parametric release.
To prepare equipment for gamma irradiation, depopulate the hive and extract any honey. Use a cloth to wipe off any insects and foreign matter. Strap materials together in lots of no more than 25 kg. Shrink wrap or bag the equipment, then label and arrange for delivery to the nearest irradiation plant.
It is important to note that while gamma irradiation is effective in treating AFB-infected hives, it may cause some physical changes to the honey, such as a decrease in enzymatic activity, bubble formation, and leakage out of frames. Additionally, there are potential risks associated with the use of gamma radiation for sterilization, including morphological and functional changes in irradiated products and possible genome instability. However, it is still a widely used method for treating AFB and preventing colony losses.
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Burn the hive: a sure-fire way to kill American foulbrood
American foulbrood (AFB) is a bacterial brood disease that results from the infection of honey bee larvae with Paenibacillus larvae. It is highly contagious and can wreak havoc on even the most robust colony. While it only attacks larvae, AFB weakens the colony and can quickly lead to its death in as little as three weeks.
To prevent the spread of AFB and facilitate effective control, it is important to use an integrated pest management approach. This includes practices such as avoiding placing hives in a straight line, keeping entrances small for new or weak colonies, and placing robbing screens on weak colonies. It is also crucial to carefully inspect any frames being transferred between colonies and avoid sharing equipment whenever possible. Additionally, hive tools and gloves should be disinfected using isopropyl alcohol or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Despite these preventative measures, AFB outbreaks may still occur. In such cases, burning the hive is a sure-fire way to kill the disease. This method, while traumatic, is often necessary to stop the disease from spreading further. Here is a step-by-step guide to burning the hive:
- Act swiftly: Once AFB is detected or suspected, it is crucial to act quickly to prevent the spread of the disease.
- Time it right: Wait until the evening when all the forager bees have returned to the hive. This ensures that all bees are present and reduces the risk of escape during the process.
- Seal the hive: Use tape, a hive closer, or dirt to seal the entrance and any cracks or holes that could serve as potential escape routes for the bees.
- Smoke the bees: If needed, use smoke to calm the bees and move the smoker away from the hive.
- Euthanize the bees: The most humane method involves killing the bees before burning. Quickly and quietly open the lid and pour one cup of gasoline (petrol) or diesel fuel over the bees and frames. Close the lid and wait at least 10 minutes to ensure all bees are immobile.
- Prepare the burning site: Dig a hole at least 12 inches (30 cm) deep to prevent any honey or wax from escaping during the burn. Alternatively, use a commercial incinerator if available.
- Burn the hive: Place the hive in the prepared burning site and ignite it. Ensure that you have obtained any necessary burn permits and followed local guidelines for burning hives.
- Disinfect plastic components: Plastic hive components should not be burned as they pose an environmental hazard. Instead, double-bag them in heavy plastic bags and transport them to a waste facility for burial.
- Prevent future infections: After burning the hive, it is important to take measures to prevent future AFB infections. This includes practices such as regularly inspecting hives, disinfecting equipment, and maintaining proper hive placement and ventilation.
While burning the hive is a sure-fire way to kill AFB, it is important to note that it is a last resort. Beekeepers should prioritize prevention and early detection through regular inspections and proper hive management. Additionally, other methods such as irradiation or scorching with a propane torch can be effective in treating AFB without resorting to burning the entire hive.
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Shook swarm: a possible method for large colonies
American foulbrood (AFB) is a bacterial brood disease that attacks honey bee larvae, weakening the colony and leading to its death. It is highly contagious and can wreak havoc on bee colonies. While burning the hive is a sure-fire way to kill off AFB, some areas do not require the burning of the bees, and in these cases, a shook swarm may be a possible method for treating large colonies infected with AFB.
The shook swarm method is a process that involves shaking or brushing bees from old equipment into a new home. It is a simple and effective process that invigorates the bees and can be used to separate the bees from any disease spores or treatment chemicals in the combs. This method is only suitable for large colonies that are infected early enough in the season to start anew. It is not recommended for small colonies.
To perform a shook swarm, first, shift the hive to be shaken to one side, about one metre away. Place a clean floor fitted with an entrance block on the original stand. Put a queen excluder on the floor to act as a queen includer. Set up a fresh brood box with a full set of frames with foundation on the queen excluder. Remove a few frames from the centre of the brood box to create a darker space into which you can throw the bees. Find the queen and place her between the frames of foundation or cage her temporarily. Remove each brood frame, shaking it diagonally across the new hive to transfer the bees.
After performing the shook swarm, continue to treat the colony with antibiotics to prevent the spread of AFB. Feed the bees 1:1 sugar water until they build up food stores. Do not feed the bees for 2-3 days after the shook swarm to prevent them from storing infected honey in their stomachs and continuing the infection.
While the shook swarm method can be an effective way to treat AFB in large colonies, it is important to note that AFB is challenging to eliminate, and even with meticulous cleanup, the disease may persist. Other methods such as irradiation or exposing infected equipment to dry heat may be more effective in ensuring complete sterilisation.
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Avoid plastic wrappings: do not use plastic wrappings when sending combs
American foulbrood (AFB) is a bacterial brood disease that results from the infection of honey bee larvae with Paenibacillus larvae. While it only attacks larvae, AFB weakens the colony and can quickly lead to its death in as little as three weeks. It is highly contagious and can wreak havoc on even the most robust colony.
To prevent the spread of AFB and facilitate the most effective control, it is important to use an integrated pest management approach (IPM). This includes avoiding placing hives in a straight line, instead opting for a horseshoe, serpentine, or other haphazard design. It is also crucial to keep entrances small when colonies are new or weak and to place a robbing screen on weak colonies.
When dealing with AFB-infected hives, it is important to exercise extreme care to avoid transferring the bacteria. All equipment must be thoroughly washed to remove spores after honey extraction. It is recommended to never feed honey from diseased hives to bees and to always inform honey packers of its origin.
While plastic hive components can be disinfected and reused, there is no guarantee that they will be completely sterilized, and the disease may reappear. As burning plastic poses an environmental hazard, these components should be double-bagged in heavy plastic bags and transported to a waste facility for burial. Alternatively, they can be carefully stored in a bee-free place until irradiation is possible.
When sending combs for testing, it is important to avoid using plastic wrappings. Combs can be sent in a paper bag or loosely wrapped in a paper towel, newspaper, etc., and placed in a heavy cardboard box. Plastic wrappings promote decomposition and the growth of mold, which can compromise the integrity of the sample. Instead, the comb can be wrapped in paper and sent to a bee disease diagnosis laboratory for testing.
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Frequently asked questions
A 10:1 water bleach dip for 5 minutes is a good way to disinfect plastic from American foulbrood. The bleach should be 5.25% and it is important to read the label of the bleach container.
Gamma irradiation is another method to disinfect plastic from American foulbrood. Exposure to dry heat at 266˚F (130˚C) will also kill the spores.
It is important to note that plastic hive components pose an environmental hazard if they are burned. Therefore, double bagging them in heavy plastic bags and transporting them to a waste facility for burial is recommended.
Yes, an alternative to disinfection is to carefully store the plastic hive components in a bee-free place until irradiation is possible.
