Hello All: A friend and fellow 'keeper in this area just had his 6 new packages inspected by the VT Bee inspector and they were found to have AFB. The background on this is that he had seven hives that were decimated by a bear late last Fall. When he discovered the destruction he estimates that they had been exposed for almost a week. He gathered the remanants and made three hives. None made it thru the Winter. When he rcvd new packages he used the old equipment to get them started. After a good settling in period this fellow noticed his brood was dying off in 3 of 6 hives. My friend believes (or was told) to burn everything and start over next year. Is there no other option? Can these hives be saved? He may give up due to his loss of dollars invested. Tim Peters, Kirby VT [log in to unmask] KirBee Apiary, Bear Bait Honey I rather be flying!