Testing (honeybees)

Question: Hello, I’m reaching out for a contact to help me test my new hive. I am a first year bee keeper and  I have a friend out in Utah I’ve sent pictures of my brood to and she believes something may be going on. I would appreciate any resources or advice. 

Thank you in advance!

responder: Ana HeckApiculture Extension EducatorMichigan State University Extension  Replied July 08, 2024, 8:45 AM EDT
response: Thank you for reaching out and for including photos! The Apiary Inspectors of America maintains a list of diagnostics labs. Some diagnostic tests take a while to send results and some tests are expensive, so it's common in beekeeping to use visual identification/diagnostics for several honey bee issues. The diagnostic tools for honey bee diseases online learning module shows photos of several honey bee pests and other diseases and describes diagnostic tests available. Many larvae (open brood) in IMG_2446.jpeg are twisted or look melted, which is often associated with European foulbrood disease. The lateral flow device (similar to an at-home COVID test) for European foulbrood is currently unavailable from beekeeping supply stores, and there is not another field diagnostic test for European foulbrood. We often rely on visual diagnostics for European foulbrood. You can send samples to the Honey Bee Lab : USDA ARS for free diagnostics, but it usually takes a while to receive results. The good news is that the brood pattern of the pupae (capped/sealed brood) looks good, which means that a proportion of brood have been surviving to the pupal stage. It's common for beekeepers to choose to wait out European foulbrood disease, since colonies normally recover from it. Beekeepers can work with a veterinarian to secure antibiotics treat European foulbrood disease, but antibiotics don't eliminate disease-causing bacteria. If you find the disease in your apiary next spring you can do a shook swarm, but at this point in the beekeeping season it's too late to expect a colony to draw enough comb. I suggest using the diagnostic tools for honey bee diseases online learning module to learn more about European foulbrood and keeping up with regular colony inspections to track the disease and the colony's recovery. Happy beekeeping!

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 08, 2024, 9:06 AM EDT
response: Thank you so much for the quick response. I appreciate it.  Do you know of any classes or support that I could join to help me become more knowledgeable?   On Mon, Jul 8, 2024 at 8:45 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 08, 2024, 9:12 AM EDT
response: For the testing where can I get the testing equipment or tubes to send the sample in? I would like to do that no matter what.  On Mon, Jul 8, 2024 at 9:01 AM Samantha Gibson <<personal data hidden>> wrote:  Thank you so much for the quick response. I appreciate it.  Do you know of any classes or support that I could join to help me become more knowledgeable?   On Mon, Jul 8, 2024 at 8:45 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 08, 2024, 9:17 AM EDT
response: Also where do I find a veterinarian that can treat for this?  On Mon, Jul 8, 2024 at 9:08 AM Samantha Gibson <<personal data hidden>> wrote:  For the testing where can I get the testing equipment or tubes to send the sample in? I would like to do that no matter what.  On Mon, Jul 8, 2024 at 9:01 AM Samantha Gibson <<personal data hidden>> wrote:  Thank you so much for the quick response. I appreciate it.  Do you know of any classes or support that I could join to help me become more knowledgeable?   On Mon, Jul 8, 2024 at 8:45 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Ana HeckApiculture Extension EducatorMichigan State University Extension  Replied July 09, 2024, 11:24 AM EDT
response: Do you know of any classes or support that I could join to help me become more knowledgeable? Getting started with beekeeping in Michigan - Pollinators & Pollination (msu.edu) lists several learning opportunities. You may be especially interested in: MSU Extension offers in-hive beekeeping workshops, and we have 2 public workshops remaining for this year: Beekeeping Workshop in Lansing, MI on July 9 (TONIGHT) Beekeeping Workshop in Novi, MI on July 23   MSU Extension offers monthly beekeeping webinars during the beekeeping season. Past recordings are posted to our video page and YouTube channel. The next webinar is Michigan Beekeeping July Office Hours - Webinar. Michigan Bee Clubs usually meet monthly and provide members with local support and education. The Michigan Beekeepers Association Fall Conference will be held on Saturday, October 19 in Benzonia. Many beekeeping clubs offer bee schools and conferences. Here is a list of Spring 2024 in-person beekeeping conferences in Michigan.  For the testing where can I get the testing equipment or tubes to send the sample in? I would like to do that no matter what. Here is information on How to Submit Samples : USDA ARS. Also where do I find a veterinarian that can treat for this? Find a Bee Vet - Honey Bee Veterinary Consortium (hbvc.org)

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 09, 2024, 12:27 PM EDT
response: Thank you very much for the information and your time!  On Tue, Jul 9, 2024 at 11:24 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: