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> From: rrudd <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: re irradiation of hives
> Date: Saturday, 7 February 1998 17:23
>
> The problem with gamma ray irradiation of hives to sterilize them from
AFB
> is that although the process kills off the disease, the dried scales are
> left in the cells, with the result that the queen will not lay in them
and
> thus the frame will still have the *pepper pot* appearance characteristic
> of AFB.
> The problem arises when you next inspect for AFB, and you cannot
determine
> whether the colony is re- infected or not.
> Also there aren't too many stations irradiating for the general public,
and
> you need a large number of hives to be treated at the one time, as, I
> understand, there is a minimum size of container which the processors
will
> accept.
> I have been beekeeping for 12 years, with 10 colonies.
 
 
The irradiation of bee equipment under the direction of NSW Dept of
Agriculture requires the infected colony be destroyed and the brood combs
burnt. This eliminates the problem of residual scales. The honey from
supers must be extracted.The heat during the irradiation process will
otherwise cause honey to run out of the supers especially if not yet capped
over.
 
Honey sourced from AFB infected hives is kept separate and containers
marked as carrying AFB spores. This honey is directed toward manufacturing
trade by packers.
 
The minimum unit is three decks with an irradiation cost around $20 Aust.
 
We have only one facility available in Sydney NSW and is quite happy to
provide this type of service.
 
.Once irradiated the equipment is immediately available for use. The
beekeeperonly required to replace brood combs and bees.
 
 
Regards
Rob Bowman