TM resistant foulbrood

[usahq]

I'm wondering how prevalent TM resistant foulbrood is across the states. Has anybody run into it or have it? If so, are you treating with Tylan as a preventative and how is it working?

[BjornBee]

"Preventative" to me means keeping healthy young queens, proper site selection, maintaining low stress on the bees through mite control, proper management techniques, and all around good beekeeping practices.

Using chemicals for deseases such as FB on a preventative measure limits the bees natural ability to perhaps strengthen their gene line in defense of such deseases and allows weak beekeepers from advancing their own level of ability.

Foulbrood usually becomes a problem when conditions allow it. Most of these conditions are controlled. When I find it, then measures to correct it including medication is taken.

[WineMan]

Understand that Tylan is perhaps no longer going to be produced.

[James Burke]

I ran into a case of TM resistant foulbrood last year. I sent samples to the Beltsville lab and the results came back positive. To say the very least, I was almost devastated. I began to research methods to treat my hives naturally. Although I found some herbal remedies, I tried an experiment that used no chemicals or herbs.

For some time, I have heard that bees can be shaken onto new equipment to cure themselves from AFB. I tried it and couldn't believe the results. I actually used a scorched box, bottom board, inner cover and top cover. The frames and foundation were new.

I believe this method breaks the brood cycle just long enough for the adult bees to get a handle on the disease. When I returned to the hive three weeks later, the combs were solid packed with brood and none...absolutely none... were infected with AFB! The spore was still in existence, however the bees had it under control to the point that it did not effect the brood.

I believe this is the best way to TREAT and CURE AFB, instead of covering the symptoms like the medications do. I know it is costly and time consuming, but it's worth it to me. I also believe that it may help the bees develop a resistance to AFB since they have been exposed to it and have recovered.

Regards,

Jim

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http://www.emeraldridgeapiary.net

[The Honey House]

Jim
Glad you had success with the shake method.
I tried this a few years back but my results where different. Things looked good for a few months but then it came back.
Two questions. After shaking the bees
1) did you keep them confinded for three days?
2) did you feed them anything or let them free range?



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Dave Verville
Fremont, NH USA

[James Burke]

I kept the queen caged, just incase she had intentions of swarming. I believe they released her after 3 or so days. I fed syrup heavily and kept a close eye on them throughout the process.

Regards,

Jim

[usahq]

The purpose of the shake method is not neccessarily to interupt the brood cycle to surpress the disease. Instead, shaking the bees and putting them on new foundation is to force the bees to use up and digest any infected honey and having the bees start over anew.

[Dave W]

Greetings . . .

Heres some good info about AFB: http://www.beeculture.com/beeculture/months/00oct/00oct3.html

Good Luck!
Dave W

[Robert Brenchley]

Removing infected honey is part of it, but the main thing is to remove infected brood, which will be full of active bacilli, and comb, which will be full of spores.

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Regards,

Robert Brenchley

RSBrenchley@aol.com
Birmingham UK