AFB and no flow

[whitebark]

Just checked some of colonies for fall/winter prep and found 3 with AFB. I always thought of trying the shake onto new equipment method - but no nectar flow. Can I simply use tylosin with the diseased comb and possibly diseased honey? If it were earlier in the year I would attempt this and cull the scaled comb over time. I'm halfway tempted torch the colonies because it seems unlikely they will survive the winter anyhow. Strange thing is the colonies are very strong - loads of bees and brood still - probably robbed some nearby diseased hive.

[Nick Noyes]

If your sure it's AFB burn it. This will save you lots of headaches later on.

[Mike Gillmore]

If you have them tested and they are positive AFB then please do yourself and all of the beekeepers in the area a great service, burn the frames and scorch the boxes.

[whitebark]

Do you torch the bees as well? Shake them out? Will they carry spores to neighbouring colonies?

[Michael Bush]

Get a definitive diagnosis first.

[whitebark]

No sunken caps or stinky-sticky larvae, but loads of scale. I am well versed no how to recognize scale, but for some reason the toothpick test fails.

[mobees]

AFB is like a tumor you need to destroy it as soon as posible or it'll spread. Pay now or pay later.

[whitebark]

do i burn the hive w/ bees?
shake the bees, burn the frames, torch the box?

[Robert Brenchley]

Burn comb and bees, give the inside of the box a good scorching with a torch.

[balhanapi]

I think you should kill the bees first (with soapy water the evening before)

From the MAAREC website-
Control: Sanitation and elimination of disease reservoirs
is a necessity for adequate control of American
foulbrood. The traditional control measure is to
kill all bees in an affected colony and then destroy
bees and their comb by burning. The hive bodies, bottom
board and covers can be salvaged by scraping thoroughly
and then charring the inside portions and/or
boiling in a lye solution.

Hope you get out of it with the least damage

[Ian]

Burn everything.

Thing is, when your treated hive fails later on, your neighbouring bees will rob the AFB back to thier colonies. Then your problem turns into their problem also.

Dont treat a known hive with antibiotics. I think this is one of the most worst things you could do.

Burn the hives!

[Michael Bush]

You have scale but no ropiness? Have you considered Parafoulbrood a possibility? I'd send some to Beltsville for a definitive diagnosis. http://www.ba.ars.usda.gov/psi/brl/directs.htm