Lloyd Spear wrote:

> Bill, are you SURE that the 2%-3% AFB found in Maine includes situations
> where only scale is seen?  Based on what I have seen, I find it hard to
> believe that the number could be that low if scale only was included and I
> KNOW that just a few years ago clean certificates were given despite the
> presence of scale.  Could the 2-3% be only active disease?

Probably active with the commercial bees on the blueberry barrens. When
you are looking at that many hives it is the obvious that hits you.
Plus, you do have to be looking for scale and it is not always easy to
spot.

However, if there was scale, knowing the inspector and my experience,
his recommendation normally would be to burn (but it might not depending
on the owner and level of trust that they would do what is right
eventually). Difficult to be a mind reader, even if I did go around with
him one day - and he did find AFB and did tell them to burn.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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