Training and supervision of staff

Identifying AFB symptoms is difficult

The incidence of AFB in any outfit can be affected by whether beekeeping staff can properly recognise the symptoms of AFB, and whether they can differentiate AFB from other brood diseases. Serious AFB outbreaks have occurred because staff fail to recognise symptoms of the disease, or have not been adequately trained and supervised. As with most jobs, showing someone once how to recognise AFB symptoms is not enough.

Differential diagnosis of AFB is a complex task, and even professional inspectors who routinely deal with AFB outbreaks, are often confused by symptoms that do not fit the classic descriptions.

Simple training refresher

Beekeepers employing staff should periodically audit the performance of staff members in AFB inspection and recognition. The most important time to check these skills is at the beginning of the beekeeping year, since AFB will not have been a priority for staff during the winter period. A good way of auditing performance is to issue them with an indelible pen or black crayon and have them put their initials and the date on the lid of any hive they inspect. Then when an AFB hive is found a check can be made of who inspected it last.

Recognise inattentive staff

Because abnormal brood is often present in beehives, a sure sign of inattention to AFB recognition is when an employee seldom (if ever) asks for a second opinion on disease symptoms from fellow workers. Employees should be encouraged to seek these second opinions whenever they are working beehives and examining brood. This is very important in colonies affected by varroa and showing clinical symptoms of parasitic mite syndrome.

Staff should receive regular training in AFB recognition and their performance at inspecting hives should be audited.
Any hive suspected of having AFB should be confirmed by the owner or an experienced beekeeper within the company structure.

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.

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