American Foulbrood (AFB)
American Foulbrood (AFB) is a highly contagious and lethal bacterial disease of honey bee brood, caused by Paenibacillus larvae spores. AFB is considered one of the most serious honey bee diseases globally and is often subject to regulatory control. AFB spores are extremely resilient and can survive for decades in hive equipment and honey. Infected larvae exhibit a characteristic 'ropy' appearance and foul odor. Diagnosis often involves field tests like the 'rope test' and laboratory confirmation. AFB is spread through contaminated honey, equipment, and drifting bees. Control measures are drastic due to its highly contagious nature and spore persistence. Early detection and prompt action are critical to prevent widespread outbreaks. AFB can devastate apiaries and requires stringent management practices.
- Burning infected hive5
Burn the entire infected hive — bees, combs, frames, and boxes — to eliminate American Foulbrood (AFB). AFB spores survive for over 50 years on contaminated equipment, making complete destruction the only reliable eradication method. Most state and national beekeeping regulations mandate burning…
📌 diy📌 best practice4/16/2025, 9:22:01 PM
🛠️ Protective gear, fuel source (propane torch or kindling), shovel
- Antibiotic treatment (Terramycin)2
Apply oxytetracycline (Terramycin/OTC) to suppress active American Foulbrood bacterial growth. Mix the prescribed dose with powdered sugar and dust it across the top bars of brood frames. In the US, a veterinary prescription (VFD) has been required since 2017. This treatment suppresses symptoms but…
📌 commercial📌 professional service4/16/2025, 9:22:01 PM
🛠️ Terramycin (oxytetracycline), powdered sugar, measuring device
- Shaking bees to new equipment1
Shake all adult bees from an AFB-infected hive onto new, clean frames with foundation in a fresh hive body. Destroy all original combs, frames, and boxes by burning. Starve the shaken bees for 24–48 hours on bare foundation before allowing them to draw new comb, forcing them to consume any…
📌 diy📌 best practice4/16/2025, 9:22:01 PM
🛠️ New hive boxes, new frames with foundation, hive tool, queen excluder