Apiary hygiene is the cheapest and most neglected part of disease management. Most infection is carried by the beekeeper, not by the bees.

The hive tool — the greatest risk

The tool is the commonest route from colony to colony. American foulbrood spores survive on its surface and are carried into the next hive.

Those spores persist for decades and wiping with alcohol does not kill them.

Methods that work:

• Flame: Holding it until it glows is the most effective
• Soda solution: A few minutes in boiling soda solution
• Burning in an alcohol pot: A field method between hives; involves open flame and needs care

Even in an apparently healthy apiary, cleaning between groups of hives is a good habit.

Gloves

Leather gloves cannot be washed and accumulate propolis, honey and spores. Disposable or washable types are more hygienic.

Gloves should be changed when soiled; this markedly reduces transfer between colonies.

Comb management

• Do not move comb between colonies. If you must, be sure the source colony is healthy
• Renew comb regularly. Old comb accumulates spores, residues and cocoons
• Do not leave removed comb in the open. It attracts robbing and pests

A dead colony

When a collapsed colony is found the hive must be closed at once. A hive left open is robbed and the agent inside it is scattered through the whole apiary.

Do not give the comb to another colony before the cause is understood.

Bringing in a new colony

A colony arriving from outside should be kept apart. During quarantine the brood and the mite level are checked.

Buying colonies, comb or honey from an unknown source is the riskiest behaviour there is.

Extraction and storage areas

• Follow food hygiene rules: clean surfaces, washed hands, a bee-proof room
• Do not leave extraction waste in the apiary
• Check stored comb regularly
• Containers must be food grade

Records

The invisible part of hygiene is record keeping. Where a colony came from, where it went, which comb was moved to which hive.

When a problem arises these records let you find the source; without them the whole apiary becomes suspect.