Unfortunately we have already had six positive diagnoses of European Foulbrood (EFB) this year within the PDBKA area.
We therefore ask all members to please be extra vigilant when handling swarms and undertaking your hive checks, remembering to look at the health of the larvae and for any signs of disease.
As disease can be rapidly spread between colonies (and before signs/symptoms show), we are also reminded of the importance of upholding good hygiene practices both in the apiary when going between hives and between visits/sites.
If you are unsure or need a reminder on how to make up a hive tool/glove cleaning solution to use between colonies & visits, there is a handy factsheet available on the National Bee Unit website: ApiaryHygiene Factsheet. Also available here.
One of the recent cases has been found at the Blendworth Apiary, which belongs to PDBKA Education Coordinator, Linda Smith. Linda has kindly agreed to speak at the next member’s meeting and share her personal experience of what it is like to go through receiving the sad news that a colony is infected and the process of this then having to be destroyed, through to what she has learnt from the experience and how it is impacting her beekeeping practices moving forward.
We thank Linda for her openness and sharing of this experience, so that we can all learn from it.
If you think you may have spotted signs of EFB in a colony, please do reach out to our local Regional Bee Inspector, Isaac Mullane, who is here to help you and is very supportive.
If you can, take a clear, close up photos of the specific larvae you are suspicious about and send these by WhatsApp, Text or Email to Isaac via 07552 262 787 or isaac.mullane@apha.gov.uk – this can help save time and even lead to a quick potential diagnosis or reassurance. Remember all the NBU Inspectors are here to help beekeepers and everything they do is completely confidential.
If you’re not already registered on Beebase, we highly recommend you consider doing so. It is free to register and means that you will receive updates and notifications on disease etc in your local area. You can register at: https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/register
Other useful links:
· How to spot European foulbrood » APHA – National Bee Unit – BeeBase
· NBU Presentation by Colin Pavey on : European Foulbrood (EFB) – Back To Basics
· Stewart Spinks: How To Complete a Disease Inspection for EFB and Other Brood Diseases
