Hygiene at a pedagogical apiary against infectious diseases

[didi]

Hi everybody
I'm a course holder in beekeeping for beginners, and last fall European foulbrood was discovered in our region. I'm from Oslo, Norway. Since Norway is a significantly clean country in terms of honeybee diseases, measures to prevent and eliminate diseases are very strict. The idea is to maintain a disease-free status through such strict measures.
I also should add that it is not allowed to treat bees other than oxalic acid in Norway, so no fungicide, miticide or antibiotics and such.
This year we have to create procedures to continue to hold hive visits for our students, yet the challenge is to minimise the risk of contracting disease. Some of our students have their own hives so there is a risk of spreading. Long story short I'm creating a draft protocol for hive visits, which focus on hygiene, pre-visit and post-visit.
Do you have any procedures similar to what I'm trying to create? I would like to get inspiration from existing measures and make sure I cover every ground.

 

[drex]

For visits to our association apiary we insist on newly washed suits. Clean plastic/latex gloves. Any hive tools must be clean and washed on site with disinfectant. Use only association smokers. Disinfectant foot bath at entrance to site.

 

[JamezF]

From memory I believe my local BKA provides all protective clothing and tools other than boots when visiting the apiary.

James

 

[Newbeeneil]

I would certainly focus on anything that goes into the hive so all tools should belong to the apiary and should be disinfected after each hive. Smokers disinfected at the end of each session. Inspections using disposable nitrile or latex gloves. All suits cleaned prior to attending the apiary.
Basically what the UK Bee Inspectors do.

 

[Wilco]

Provide bee suits, gloves, tools, footwear, smokers. Do not let anyone bring any of their own kit on site.

Bucket of soda crystals in water to clean hands and tools between hives if you want belt and braces approach.