Destroying a Diseased Hive

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 81, Issue 1, 15 July 1950, Page 66

Destroying a Diseased Hive

Seasonal Notes for the Domestic Beekeeper AS American foul-brood is a most infectious disease of bees, a domestic beekeeper may find it necessary at any time to destroy a diseased hive. The precautions which should be observed in this operation are dealt with by J. E. Rodie, Assistant Apiary Instructor, Department of Agriculture, Palmerston North, in this month’s article for the domestic beekeeper.

THE safest and most effective method to deal with a hive . infected with American foul-brood (Bacillus larvae) is to burn the bees, frames, and all honey, then later to scorch thoroughly supers, floor boards, and all other hive parts. The responsibility to do away with a diseased hive rests entirely on the owner. If the bees are situated within a city or borough area, however, it is necessary to procure from the local fire brigade a permit to light a fire out in the open. Within populous areas it is advisable to wait if possible for a suitable day on which there is no strong wind blowing so that a fire hazard is not created. Destruction of Bees The most common way of destroying bees is to gas them with calcium cyanide. This gas is a deadly poison to human beings as well as to bees, and in a confined space will cause death almost instantly. The powder should not be allowed to come in contact with, the fingers or the body. The best time to destroy a colony of bees is in the evening when no bees are flying. Place a tablespoon of calcium cyanide on a piece of damp cardboard and slide the cardboard into the hive entrance, taking care to stand on the windward side. In a very short' time the bees will ,all be dead. Another effective method is to pour a bottle of petrol into the hive, close down the lid, and leave it until the

vaporised petrol. has killed the bees. Care should be exercised when the material to be burnt is ignited, as the fumes will create a small explosion. After the bees have been killed the hive contents should be destroyed immediately; otherwise bees from neighbouring hives may enter the hive and spread the disease. A colony should never be burnt on the. surface of the ground, as the infected melted honey may run into the grass and roots and be taken up by robber bees. Burning Hives The first step in burning hives is to dig a hole measuring roughly 3ft. x 3ft. x 9in. to Ift. 6in. deep close to the hive affected and well away from shrubs or trees so that they will not be scorched. As the land where the burning is carried out may later be ploughed, care should be taken that there is no possibility of the burnt honey being ploughed up on top of the ground; if this happens, a recurrence of disease would be possible. Part of the hole should be deep enough to take any liquid honey that may escape the fire This honey . should be burnt well below ploughing level. Two iron bars or old pipes placed across the top of the hole are helpful in keeping the fire from. collapsing. If there is much honey to burn, this method will keep the centre of the fire open, allowing the honey to melt and run away without choking the fire. The transferring of the frames and bees to the excavation should then be done. Care." is necessary to avoid spilling any dead bees on the ground, because when the bees are gassed they disgorge honey , from their honey sacs and this honey is a source of infection if other bees lick it up. Paper or dry twigs should be placed in the hole to give the fire a good , start. After prising, off the top super .of the infected hive with a hive tool slowly turn the super upside down in the hive cover, where it can be carried without spilling dead bees, the super of combs should be placed on the loose soil in the reverse position, with the cover uppermost. Carry out the same procedure with the remaining supers, using the cover to hold each super. Take out the combs separately and stack them up in the hole, making sure to put the dry combs in the centre as they will burn easily. Pour on a little kerosene or petrol and drop in a lighted match. When the fire has a good hold add additional combs containing any honey and the dead bees. Care should be taken not disturb the fire to any extent, as liquid honey may extinguish it.

Scorching Supers After the frames and combs have been reduced to ashes prise the metal rabbets off the supers, which have to be scorched. Place the first super on the bars and quickly add the remainderon top. The draught immediately caused by the chimney effect of the supers will draw up the flames and in a minute or two the supers should be sufficiently scorched. Knock them off the bars quickly with a shovel to avoid charring them. Another . method is to take a super and place it on two bricks, dropping in an armful of hay and pouring on a little kerosene. The additional supers are added and the hay ignited. After the flames have roared up through the supers for a short period the hive cover is placed on the' top to smother the fire. Another effective method is to use a blowlamp. Before using the supers, hive lids, and bottom boards again it is advisable to paint them both on the inside and outside. The remains ,of the fire should be covered up so that bees cannot get access to. any honey that has run from the combs. If a hive tool has been used in the operation, it should be well - sterilised by fire before being used again. The use of gloves is not recommended when burning American foul-brood, as they are difficult to clean and are liable to spread infection. Care should be taken to avoid getting honey on the hands or clothes when handling all diseased material. , : American foul-brood is a highly infectious disease of bees, and if the precautions described are not observed, any attempt to eradicate the disease may be only a means of furthering it. It is a notifiable disease, and under the provisions of the Apiaries Act, 1927, beekeepers are required to. notify the . Department of Agriculture within 7 days of the discovery of any diseased bees. They should, however, deal with any hives containing foul-brood immediately the infection is discovered.