OSR When and how to prepare.

[mbc]

I wonder how much sub clinical afb the random apiary survey the nbu's doing will show up?

 

[Hivemaker.]

Don't forget efb,much more common,plus nosema ceranae.
I think there will need to be a bee inspector for every 20 bee owners soon.

 

[RoofTops]

I wonder how much sub clinical afb the random apiary survey the nbu's doing will show up?

AFB is not endemic in UK bees, unlike things like deformed wing virus which showed up in over 90% of Devon bees in one survey (Source: Plymouth University*). There is no reason to suspect the position on DWV is not the same over much of the rest of the country.

If someone starts with new equipment and providing they don't bring AFB in with their bees the chances of them getting AFB subsequently are close to zero providing they observe good hygiene if they visit other apiaries and pressure cook any visitors to their bees for 5 minutes at 120C before allowing them anywhere near the bees.


*No, Plymouth University is not the source of DWV, there is a group doing research into viruses there.

 

[VEG]

and pressure cook any visitors to their bees for 5 minutes at 120C before allowing them anywhere near the bees.

Thats a bit nasty cooking your visitors