Colonies with AFB must be burned by a state bee inspector. The State of Georgia pays beekeepers a monetary compensation to help replace the loss. Unlike with AFB, larvae infected with EFB die before they are capped. Colonies with EFB will sometimes recover on their own after a good nectar flow begins. Chalkbrood is a fungal disease of larvae.
Infected larvae turn a chalky white color, become hard then turn black.
Chalkbrood is most frequent during damp conditions in early spring. Colonies usually recover on their own. Nosema is a widespread protozoan disease of adult bees and is especially common in north Georgia. In spring, infected colonies build up very slowly or not at all. Bees appear weak and may crawl around the front of the hive.