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Funded Project |
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Funding Program:
IPM Partnership Grants |
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Project Title:
Testing the Effectiveness of a Sanitizing Agent for Suppression of American Foulbrood in Beehives |
Project Director (PD):
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Lead State: CT Lead Organization: Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station |
| Undesignated Funding: $7,645 |
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Start Date: Apr-01-2009 End Date: Mar-31-2010 |
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Pests Involved: American foulbrood |
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Area of Emphasis: honeybees, colony health |
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Summary:
American foulbrood (AFB), caused by the endospore-forming bacterium Paenibacillus larvae, can devastate honeybee colony health and result in the complete loss of the colony. The mandatory method for control of diagnosed cases of AFB in Connecticut is destruction by burning. A sanitation protocol that is effective, easy, and convenient to perform routinely will significantly benefit beekeepers. This investigation will ascertain the efficacy of a liquid sanitizing agent to suppress P. larvae spore levels in colonies with AFB. If shown effective, the experimental design will be modified using input from commercial and hobbyist beekeepers into a standard protocol that beekeepers can routinely use to sanitize beehives.
Objectives: This investigation will ascertain the efficacy of a liquid sanitizing agent to lower P. larvae spore levels in adult bees taken from colonies with AFB. Specific goals are: (1) Establish a base-line level of P. larvae spores in hives infected with AFB. (2) Remove bees and beeswax from infected hives, sanitize contaminated hive bodies and frames, replace adult bees into sanitized hives, and monitor for P. larvae spore levels. (3) If sanitation proves effective, modify experimental design into a standard protocol that beekeepers can routinely use to sanitize beehives. Proposal |
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Final Report: |
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Outcomes This investigation began in June 2009; late in the beekeeping year. Eight beehives (from three separate beekeepers) were initially obtained for use in this investigation. The first three hives were sanitized using an undeveloped protocol (dip tank sanitation and frame foundation scraping). Although these bee colonies survived treatment, they did not demonstrate a lowering of sub-clinical AFB. The other five colonies were tested using a modified sanitation protocol. Of these hives, two bee colonies died (failure to overwinter resulting from late season sanitation) and another colony absconded from the holding hive following the sanitation treatment. The two remaining bee colonies did demonstrate lowered spore levels. Overall, in field testing of this sanitizing agent indicated that it would be effective. However, efficacy was not statistically supported or negated due to the low numbers of hives available for the study. The outcome is that the efficacy test for this sanitizing agent needs to be performed on a larger number of colonies and begin earlier in the beekeeping year using the modified protocol. A positive outcome of this investigation was that an easy and efficient sanitation protocol was developed for using any applicable liquid sanitizer by a beekeeper. At the start of this study, in June, it was quickly determined that this was past the best window of opportunity for treatment. Treatments in March, or April at the latest, are more applicable for bee colony recovery and for use by beekeepers. Use of a sanitizing agent in dip tank methodology was proven to be ineffective due to rapid neutralization of the sanitizer. A spray application protocol was developed. To prevent colony absconding from the holding hive, it was determined that the queen must be caged within the holding hive. Prior to sanitizing frames from the first group of beehives, the removal of wax from foundation by scrapping was found to be labor intensive, not economically practicable from a beekeepers outlook, and not capable of being performed in a sanitary manner. The solution was that if frames were to be reused, then all wax and foundation must be cut from the frame prior to sanitizing. In summation, the modified protocol adjusted the yearly timing of treatment, changed the procedure for application of sanitizer, and corrected the method of holding adult bees and beehive preparation prior to sanitation. This investigation has served as a pilot study providing information to help in the performance of a future investigation testing the efficacy of the specific sanitizing agent. This investigation has also resulted in the development of a simplified sanitation program that can be easily outlined and followed by beekeepers. Testing of the developed sanitation protocol will be done prior to promoting implementation by beekeepers. This testing will help to confirm applicability to current beekeeper practices. Collaboration with beekeepers is increasing as a result of this investigation. More beekeepers (side-line and commercial) are volunteering to learn the sanitation protocol and to be included in the sanitizing agent efficacy re-evaluation test. This funding grant has provided support that will help the process of seeking new funding on related grants. Also, data collected as a result of this grant will help convince beekeepers as to the merits of implementing a sanitation program. Research findings are being prepared for publication in scientific journals (focused on honeybee research) and, following re-evaluation of efficacy will be presented as summarized notes in beekeeping trade journals. A fact sheet outlining the sanitation protocol, for physical distribution to beekeepers and for posting on websites, is being assembled. Additionally, oral presentations are being given to beekeeper groups and to the general public. One manuscript entitled, "Inactivation of Paenibacillus larvae endospores by a hydrogen peroxide/peroxyacetic acid biocide" has been submitted for publication in the internationally distributed Journal of Apicultural Research. A second study arising as an off-shoot from this investigation, monitoring year long baseline levels of spores in beehives, is nearing completion. |
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Impacts This investigation represented a pilot study to ascertain how to best implement a sanitizing program and whether a specific sanitizing agent was effective in field. As such, it is premature to anticipate an impact on the beekeeping community. However, successful completion of this investigation, within another year, will impact the beekeeping community (local, national, and worldwide) on a significant and immediate level. Development of this sanitizing protocol will change beekeeping practices, save beekeepers unnecessary expenses, help suppress AFB with less use of antibiotics, and help to improve long-term colony health. Safeguarding human health and the environment: Once this IPM strategy for sanitizing beehives is implemented, prophylactic use of the antibiotics terramycin and tylosin (in addition to use of other disease/infestation control chemicals) in hives can be minimized or discontinued. Use of this strategy will lower the potential risk for contamination of honey and beeswax with trace amounts of these compounds. In 2006, U.S. honey production amounted to 155 million pounds. This sanitation program will provide beekeepers an alternative hive management tool for controlling diseases. Economic benefits: Use of this sanitation program can help beekeepers maintain bee colonies longer and in better overall health. Helping bee colonies survive longer will lower the long-term costs of beehive replacement to a beekeeper. The cost of beehive replacement, including honeybee replacement, is estimated at $250 - $300. Helping establish healthier honeybees through sanitization will improve pollination profits. Economic value through pollination income for a beekeeper can vary from $0 - $500 per hive, dependent upon use for pollination and upon hive strength. Direct economic benefit to agricultural production is reported at fifteen to twenty billion dollars annually. An increase in bee colony populations (managed beehives have dropped from approximately 5 million hives to 2.5 million hives) by maintaining healthier bee environments can help improve pollination capabilities and increase agricultural production. Implementation of IPM: The results of this study are not ready to be implemented as an IPM strategy by beekeepers. Re-evaluation of efficacy tests, based on the developed sanitation protocol, will precede efforts to implement the IPM strategy on a large basis. Implementation of this sanitation program is anticipated to start in another year. |
Report Appendices
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