Peter Dillon had asked about barrier systems and I promised to reply when I returned.  Sorry for the delay but here it is.

There is a study which looked at some of the barrier systems in Australia it can be viewed at www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/HBE/w01-05.pdf

The Western Australia Dept of Agriculture had a Bulletin No. 4318 on Barrier Systems but whilst it is mentioned on their home page, it is not down loadable.

I used a system a while back which consisted of having loads and recording all for that load.  Since selling some and now re-building, I use a different system.

I have all brood boxes numbered with a B no. from 1 upwards.  The supers on top are number from 1 onwards.  I have different yards and have these recorded on a hand held computer as well as the computer back home.  When I go out to a yard, I have each bottom box number with the number of the supers on top.  I record the date these supers go on and come off on the hand held and down load when I come home.

This way, if a hive shows up with AFB, I can trace back what supers have been on that hive and can also find where they are now and take appropriate action.

I do the same for my support colonies that I make the mating nucs up from and this gives me traceability.

Hope this helps.

Trevor Weatherhead
AUSTRALIA

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