Queens and package bees
Queen bees
While queens have tested positive for AFB spores, it is unlikely that they would carry enough spores to create an infection. Where spore-carrying queens from AFB infected hives were intentionally placed in uninfected hives, they did not infect the new colonies.
Package bees
Package bees are a broodless nucleus colony comprised of a caged queen and an artificial swarm of bees. Package bees can be shipped long distances, and then installed into hives with empty comb in order to start new honey bee colonies. Although package bees contain no brood, they have been shown to be capable of carrying sufficient spores to produce an AFB infection once the bees begin producing brood in the new hive.
Queens are unlikely to transmit AFB but package bees can.
Videos
Our videos cover everything from your legal obligations to how to recognise AFB, collecting cell and bee samples and more.
Symptoms
There’s a lot of good information here, telling you everything you need to know about recognising AFB: the visual symptoms, smell of AFB and more.
Inspection and Diagnosis
Successfully eliminate AFB by telling the difference between symptoms of AFB and other brood diseases in the hive. We tell you the best methods for inspecting your hives.
The Law
New Zealand beekeepers have a number of legal obligations that must be met regarding AFB disease. Read the shortened list in summary, here.
Elimination
Most hives become infected because bees, honey or equipment have been put into a hive from another hive that is infected with AFB. Lower your chances of an AFB infection by reading this section.
AFB Recognition Course Info
Find out when the next AFB Recognition and Competency Courses, or Refresher Courses are available. These are held throughout the year in various New Zealand locations across the South Island and North Island.
The AFB App
Follow the link below to open the App. Once open to save to your device you need to bookmark the URL on your phone so you can find it easily again. Please click here to open.