European Foulbrood
- It’s a highly contagious bacterial disease – Melissococcus plutonius, which affects honeybee larvae.
- Signs of EFB are patchy brood, twisted, melted yellowish-brown larvae.
- Often occurring in springtime when wet, cold weather causes chilling and limits foraging activity.
- It spreads through contaminated food and equipment, such as hive tools and woodenware.
- Test kits are easy to source and simple to use.
- Treatable with antibiotics; a strong colony may overcome infection.
American Foulbrood
- Burn everything. No kidding. AFB cannot be eradicated except by total destruction.
- Spores have been known to survive decades on equipment.
- Highly contagious, deadly bacterial infection, caused by Paenibacillus larvae.
- Signs: Spotty brood pattern, sunken or perforated cappings, a very foul odor like dead fish, and “roping” or stretching, dead larvae.
- There is no cure, hence, fire.
- AFB is to be reported to the Department of Agriculture.
- At this time, it is not known to be common in Michigan.
- When purchasing used equipment, make sure to buy from trusted sources.