What was interesting was that the most
> prolific hive was the first to show AFB this year. (Bob will comment, I am
> sure).

Not sure why the most prolific was the first. Weaker hives usually display 
the AFB but the strong hives rob the weak. I have never seen AFB patterns.

>> What I know about hygienic queens is their daughters should pull larva
>> infected with brood diseases before it is visibly noticeable?

The best way to confirm hygienic is by testing. twice a year gives a good 
indication of hygienic breeder queens and offspring.

Print off this post for future reference as I will share the low budget 
method for testing for hygienic behavior. Use with care (like I do!)

Take a 2 quart Stanley unbreakable thermos (reusable) and drill a hole in 
the screw in stopper. This you will use *with care* to transport the liquid 
nitrogen purchased from a welding gas supply house.

use a old Campbell's soup can ( reusable) with both ends open to place the 
liquid nitrogen on the  brood frame.

Use a plastic cup (reusable) which will hold 10 ounces of liquid nitrogen to 
pour the nitrogen into the can.

pour 2 ounces in first and let smoke till smoke stops and then pour in the 
other 8 ounces.

wait a few minutes and then place the frame in the middle of the brood nest.

I decide which hives and which frames I want to test ahead of time. The 
above method works best with two people. One pulling the marked frames and 
removing the attached bees and the other handling the nitrogen.

using care most beekeepers are capable of doing hygienic testing.

The above method has been used by beeks for years.

Warning:
the hole in the stopper is there for an important reason. Boom without the 
hole! The thermos is for transport and not storage. Buy what you are going 
to use only.

Artificial insemination (animals) people/ vets have expensive containers to 
store the nitrogen but few beekeepers possess such equipment other than Sue, 
Marla , Dann or maybe Randy O.

 Many will loan to friends or if doing a huge amount of hygienic testing 
most vets will do a farm call and apply the nitrogen in the cans or PVC pipe 
for a farm call fee plus the nitrogen cost. Not a bad way to go *if* you 
want to do 20-40 frames.

Happy hygienic testing!

bob 

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