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.

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