Re. the effectiveness of acetic acid fumigation in terminating Nosema ceranae spores, this is another one of those apicultural science questions where it’s hard for the average beek to make management decisions, because of the apparently contradictory science.

For example, on the one hand we have Paul Kelly, the Research and Apiary Manager at the University of Guelph Honey Bee Research Centre, saying they have “been fumigating our deadout colonies at The University of Guelph for over twenty years. It is a simple, inexpensive method of killing the Nosema spores in the honeybee feces that can be seen inside affected colonies.” Kelly describes both indoor and outdoor methods of fumigation here https://www.uoguelph.ca/honeybee/education-fumigation.shtml And, as mentioned in other recent BEE-L posts, he recently published a YouTube video about his indoor fumigation method. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9czzJBRK1s  

On the other hand, we have this research by Pernal, S.F., A. Ibrahim, and A.P. Melathopoulos. 2010. “Disinfection of Nosema ceranae-contaminated comb by irradiation, acetic acid fumigation and heat.” American Bee Research Conference, Orlando, Florida.  https://articles.extension.org/pages/30369/abrc2010-disinfection-of-nosema-ceranae-infected-comb-by-irradiation-acetic-acid-and-heat

Their results indicate that acetic acid fumigation is not as effective as irradiation in killing Nosema ceranae spores; it does not totally terminate the spores.  

My take away from all this is that acetic acid fumigation remains beneficial in reducing N. ceranae spore numbers to levels that can be managed by future honey bee colonies using the comb. What do you think of that assessment?

I would love to listen to a panel discussion (e.g., upcoming Apimondia Congress in Montreal) where these subtleties (apparent contradictions) in the Nosema spp. science are debated. It would be great to have Steve Pernal and colleagues, University of Guelph researchers, and others on a panel discussing the pros and cons of acetic acid fumigation, irradiation, fumagillan, etc.

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