Garth wrote:
 
> On the other hand the spores are likely to germinate under damp
> conditions.
>
> Hence I would geuss most AFB epidemics begin when there is an
> increase in moisture in the empty super cells - leading to
> germination??
 
 
        AFB is a brood disease. The spores do not germinate until they are
ingested by larvae. There is variability in the number it takes to kill
a larva, typically 6 - 200 spores. The spores get into the larva in the
feed they are given by nurse bees. Oxytet kills the active not the spore
stage of AFB. Since the active stage is in the larva, the oxytet must
bee fed to the larva too work. There is no doubt that grease patties
work very well to make the symptoms of AFB disappear, its been done by
many. Whether this is a cure or not is debatable.