Contaminated Colonies

How Infection Occurs

An AFB infection does not occur simply because a single bacterial spore enters a colony. Infections usually only result when millions of spores are introduced.

Many of the spores either end up stored in honey or find their way into the stomachs of adult bees, where they are removed from the colony when the bees defecate outside. Some spores may be fed to larvae, but not in high enough numbers to create an infection.

Colonies can still be infected without showing signs of diseased larva or pupa

Many colonies can be found that contain small numbers of AFB spores but never have a diseased larva or pupa. The hive may become contaminated because the colony has robbed out an infected colony, infected bees have drifted into the colony, or because a beekeeper has added contaminated equipment.

Disease criteria according to NZ law

The presence of AFB spores in a honey bee colony, or even in the gut of a larva, does not necessarily mean that the colony or the larva is diseased. A larva is not considered to be diseased until bacteria kill the larva, either before or after pupation. Likewise, a colony is not considered by New Zealand law to be diseased until it contains a diseased larva or pupa. Colonies that contain spores, but not diseased larvae, can be thought of as being “contaminated”, rather than diseased.

They are at risk of developing AFB, however, and should be managed appropriately (see eliminating AFB in beekpeeing outfits).

Colonies that are contaminated with AFB spores, but have no diseased larvae or pupae, have an increased risk of developing AFB.

AFB Quiz
Take the AFB 5 minute quiz

How well do you know what you need to know about AFB and beekeeping? Take our short quiz and find out.

AFB Videos
Videos

Our videos cover everything from your legal obligations to how to recognise AFB, collecting cell and bee samples and more.

AFB Symptoms
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.

AFB Inspection and Diagnosis
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.

AFB Law
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.

AFB Elimination
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 Course Info
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.

AFB App
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.

HiveHub