Colony Inspections and Foulbrood Disease in England, Scotland and Wales for 2015
Shropshire as at 15-MAY-15 had 52 colonies found to have european fouldbrood
[".. Inspectors will initially visit apiaries with known disease issues or reported colony loss. The data is therefore skewed...]
see statistics from Beebase: Colony Inspections and Foulbrood Disease in England, Scotland and Wales for 2015
See Beebase for information - Click items below for their webpage page
Symptoms of EFB
An infected colony may show some or all of the signs below:
Erratic or uneven brood pattern;
Twisted larvae with creamy-white guts visible through the body wall;
Melted down, yellowy white larvae;
An unpleasant sour odour;
Loosely-attached brown scales;
Unlike AFB, the remains of larvae that die from EFB do not rope when drawn out with a matchstick.
Spread of foulbrood
The most common way in which foulbrood transmits from infected colony to healthy colony is the beekeeper. This can occur when frames of honey or brood are moved between colonies, or if other contaminated equipment is used. However, robbing by adult bees of dead or dying infected colonies is also an important mode of transmission. Swarms from infected colonies may also carry infection with them.
Precautions to take if you suspect your colony has foulbrood:
Close the hive.
Reduce the hive entrance to prevent robbing - take other steps if necessary.
Disinfect your beekeeping equipment and gloves before examining other colonies, or if you use disposable gloves, select a new pair;
Either contact your local Bee Inspector immediately or the NBU office. Click here to find out who your local Bee Inspector is;
Do not remove any colonies, equipment or honey from the site until the disease (if confirmed) has been controlled. This is a self-imposed 'Standstill' which is a requirement under the legislation.
