> 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]