Shaking bees off frames before inspecting
Inspecting frames
The recommended technique for inspecting beehives for AFB involves shaking the bees off each brood frame before searching the frame for abnormalities in the brood. Obviously this technique takes more time than simply removing frames and not shaking off the bees. Leaving bees on frames tends to be part of inspection routines where only a few frames are inspected, since each frame is pulled from the centre of the brood nest and put back in place before another frame is removed.
Bees obscure visual signs of AFB
The chances of finding light infections of AFB (less than 50 infected cells per hive) are greatly reduced when there are so many bees on the brood frame that a majority of the cells are obscured.
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.
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.