Disinfection of inflammable beekeeping equipment (e.g. sterilisation of wooden hives, boards, frames, wax, etc.).
Disinfection of flammable bee material is a major technical problem. The key issue is to assess the risk of spreading the pathogen.
The most effective method of disinfecting flammable material is gamma sterilisation.
However, it might be not easy to find companies that offer this service.
The wax can be effectively sterilised in an autoclave at high temperature and pressure.
In the event of contamination by pathogens that are not particularly resistant, the wood material can be sterilized with the flame of a gas torch.
Other material can be disinfected with chemical disinfectants based on active oxygen or sodium hypochlorite.
In case of the American foulbrood, gamma irradiation or the autoclave sterilisation of wax are the only effective sterilisation methods, destroying all material by burning in stoves or ovens should prevail.
Warnings: May depend on the regulations in force in the given country.
Please check out the B-THENET Platform for the Best Beekeeping Practices tailored to each country, co-developed with practicing beekeepers in the National B-THENET Centres of those countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden).
BEST PRACTICES AND INNOVATIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE BEEKEEPING
Ongoing | 2022-2026
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden