Eliminate diseased colonies so that they cannot reproduce
Eliminating diseased colonies is important for preventing the spread of diseases, avoiding that the healthy colonies get infected, and to prevent them from reproducing.
The first step is to identify the diseased colony based on the symptoms. Once the colony to be eliminated has been identified, the hive is closed when it is dark to ensure that all the bees, including the foragers, are inside. This is very important because any foragers left outside may go to other hives in the apiary increasing the risk of spreading the disease. The colony could be killed by using sulphur dioxide or other methods.
The box can be disinfected it with a flame and the frames can be melted in the solar wax melter to recover the wax, while the remaining material should be destroyed. In case of American foulbrood, all material other than plastic or metal, including the hive, should be destroyed.
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)
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- Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden