> I realise that with no honey in the combs, the bees > are not going to ingest any of these spores, but they may pick them > up on their bodies (or alternatively, drop them off their bodies) and > hence spread the disease around. I wonder, is tetracycline used in Auz? Seems to me that NZ frowns on it. In the absence of medications, AFB is indeed a great concern and no amount of it can be tolerated. Immediate and complete destruction or sterilization of all exposed items is essential. However, one AFB spore cannot cause the disease, I understand. It takes a considerable number to cause a breakdown. I cannot imagine how bees in contact with a comb that shows no scale, located outside their hive could cause sufficient innoculation to start a breakdown. In the case where periodic medication occurs during dearth periods, I am sure there is zero risk. Comments? W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper Rural Route One, Swalwell, Alberta Canada T0M 1Y0 Phone/Fax: 403 546 2588 Email: [log in to unmask]