Foulbrood
If you suspect that your colonies have Foulbrood disease, in the first instance, you should contact your local Bee Inspector or Regional Bee Inspector if they are unavailable. If your local Inspector is unable to get to the apiary promptly, you can send in a voluntary comb or larval sample into our laboratory by using our Voluntary Sample Submission Form. The form can also be used for suspect exotic pests. In this case, please fill in as much information on the form as possible so that we can contact you should we require more information.

Adult Bee Disease Diagnosis
The National Bee Unit has discontinued the adult bee disease screening service which tested samples of bees for the presence of Nosema spp., Amoeba and Acarine (Tracheal mites). In previous years, the demand for this non statutory service has been high which warranted the need for a commercial service. However, in recent years the number of samples and requests by beekeepers for an adult bee disease screening has reduced dramatically, with the service rarely being used throughout the year. Beekeepers who wish to have bees tested for non-statutory diseases may still be able to obtain help from their local associations.

Fera Science Limited will continue to offer molecular testing for the detection honey bee diseases caused by various viruses, bacterial and fungal pathogens. For further information on molecular testing please contact

at Fera Science Limited.
 
Suspected Poisoning
Suspect honey bee poisons are investigated as part of the Wildlife Investigation Scheme by Natural England. The NBU’s role when inspecting the hive is to rule out any other cause of colony death such as disease or beekeeper error and to collect a sample of bees if one hasn’t already been done so. At least 200 bees are required for a poison analysis, approximately the number that will fit into a large ‘Cooks’ matchbox. These need to be securely packaged but not in a plastic bag and preferably not flattened. Please send them to the following address, contacting a Bee Inspector before submitting a sample under the scheme:

National Bee Unit, The Animal and Plant Health Agency, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ.

Suspect Exotic Pests
Beekeepers monitor for the exotic pests Small hive beetle and Tropilaelaps mites when they are a part of our Sentinel Apiary Scheme. However, you can also submit a voluntary sample if you think you may have found either of these pests. When sending in an exotic pest sample please place it in the freezer overnight before posting it and inform the NBU that you are going to be sending it in.

Again, as above, use a suitable sturdy container (cardboard rather than plastic) and provide as much detail as possible about the sample by using the Voluntary Sample Submission Form.
 

Imports From Third Countries
All queen cages with attendant workers from Third Countries should be sent into the NBU laboratory for examination. When you receive your consignment of imported queen honey bees you must:

(i) Transfer the queens to new queen cages before they are introduced to any local colonies;

(ii) Send the original (queen) cages, attendant worker bees and other material that accompanied the queen bees from their country of origin to the NBU within 5 days of receipt for examination for the presence of the Small hive beetle and Tropilaelaps mites.

Postage Costs
When sending in samples to the NBU, please keep in mind the recent changes that Royal Mail have made to their delivery charges. Click here for more information.

Last updated on 23/03/20