Inspection training and refreshers

Be able to recognise AFB

Beekeepers should take advantage of every opportunity to be trained in hive inspection techniques and refresh their knowledge of brood disease symptoms. This would seem to be obvious advice for new beekeepers, but it can also be just as important for long-established beekeepers.

Experience has shown that beekeepers with little or no AFB in their outfits can lose their ability to make differential diagnoses of brood diseases because they do not have the opportunity to periodically see AFB in the field. This is especially the case in larger beekeeping outfits with staff.

Training options available

One of the best opportunities to obtain training and refreshers in AFB inspection is to attend AFB Elimination Field Days held by local branches of the NBA. These workshops allow newer beekeepers to learn from those who have been working in beekeeping for a longer period of time. They also provide an opportunity for all beekeepers to trade experiences and techniques used in AFB elimination.

Another good opportunity to obtain training is to attend an AFB NPMS Management Agency-sanctioned course in AFB recognition and destruction, and to take the competency test required for Approved Beekeeper status under the AFB NPMS. Beekeeping businesses should use these courses as a means of providing staff with a basic understanding of AFB identification in a structured learning environment.

Keep your knowledge of AFB current

It is also a good idea to retain one or two frames showing AFB symptoms for future reference. To retain these frames, a permit must be obtained from the Management Agency. Wrap the frame in newspaper (for absorbency), and put it in a large plastic garbage bag secured with a twist-tie or tape to exclude moisture. The wrapped frame should be kept in a freezer (to control fungal growth) and removed several hours before use. The frame should be clearly labelled so it is never replaced in a healthy colony.

A good time to look at these frames is at the beginning of the beekeeping year, just before the first inspection round. Scraping cappings off, looking at cell contents, checking for scale, and performing the ropiness test, all help to “get one’s eye in” after the winter period. Freezing AFB reduces the degree of ropiness.

Large apiaries can be at increased risk of AFB

It is also important that a training programme is carried out for beekeeping staff. Beekeepers in charge sometimes delegate AFB control to their staff without giving them adequate training or auditing their performance. This can result in large outbreaks of AFB. Staff should also be aware of the company’s disease elimination conformity agreement (DECA) as this determines how hives are inspected for AFB, how records are kept, and how AFB infected hives are dealt with.

Ensure that you and your staff undergo a regular training programme to refresh your AFB diagnostic skills.

Next >>

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