<the following is selectively exerpted from several posts>
> "The only method of treatment permitted in nearly all states of
> Australia is destruction by fire of infected bees and combs under the
> supervision of an apiary inspector. Hive components and empty combs
Fascinating- I'm glad I asked.
This is a debate that has raged since the '30s or so. Ohio, I believe
had (has?) a similar policy with similar stats on control, as I
recollect. (Some of my 'recent' memories are 25 years old).
Actually in North America, drugs aren't permitted (or is it encouraged) for
cure, but rather prevention - altho' Phillips recommended sulfa for
clearing up badly diseased equipment, saying something to the effect that
it is so easy. . . etc. I should quote if I'm going to quote and I'm
too lazy to get the book right now. Quotes on request.
> may be saved and sterilised using cobalt 60 gamma irradiation....."
This doesn't sound like a solution that is available at your local bee
supply store.
> > However, one AFB spore cannot cause the disease, I understand. It takes
> Why not?? Surely, if a single spore is fed to a single larva, and
Well, I don't know that under some conditions it might be possible, but I
have sat thru' long talks by emminent authorities over the years that say
that it is a horse race. There is a limited window of opportunity for
the disease - a short time while the larva is vulnerable to the process
you describe.
After that time I really don't know what happens to the ones that don't
get a full blown growth. I presume they pupate and emerge. Maybe thats
one reason why infected colonies go downhill more than the attrition in
the brood would seem to indicate. Perhaps the adults are a bit defective.
Help me someone - I'm over my depth and I'm sure there are some experts in
disease lurking in the background.
I've got my Bailey's here and will give you some quotes later, if you
like. It won't hurt me to brush up on this either.
> You could be right, but as mentioned above, there are no permissable
> treatments available in australia......although, one (complete moron)
> beekeeper I know, (are there any Aussie Apiary inspectors reading
> this??) claims to have "controlled" AFB using terramyacin.
Trust me, we do it all the time.
> Just one more, from the same sourse as the other two...."The
> incidence of AFB in most states of Australia, where destruction is
> the only permitted treatment, is much lower than in countries where
> drug treatment is generally used. For example, 5% incidence of the
> disease is considered acceptable in many parts of the Uited States,
> compared with a normal incidence of less than 1% in victoria" (quoted
> earlier as 0.75%)
Now what does this mean? Where the disease is not stigmatized, people are
more likely to call their inspector. Where it is a death sentence,
people hide it and treat it secretly - as you mention.
So, perhaps the stats cannot be compared? I don't know.
The loss caused by 1% infestation (the whole hive, bees included and maybe
the crop) is far greater than at 5% where you lose a few frames at most,
albeit from more hives.
Of course, either way, AFB has its hand in your pocket the whole time too.
Control/prevention costs money too, whether you sprinkle on the magic dust
every few weeks in spring, or do detailed inspections constantly to ensure
you don't suddenly lose your whole outfit. I can tell you, having done
both which I like better, given the availability of skilled labour today.
The other thing that stats don't tell you, but you did tell me is that
the losers lose big when no medication is allowed, and people live in
terror of the incurable disease.
Your father lost everything, and you are worried about a disease that is
of little concern here.
> information above will help people understand why I am so worried
> about AFB....that and the fact that my father lost his 30 hives to it
> 8 years ago.
QED
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper
Rural Route One, Swalwell, Alberta Canada T0M 1Y0
Phone/Fax: 403 546 2588 Email: [log in to unmask]
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