DARD BEE INSPECTORS

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) provides a Honeybee diagnostic service to determine the presence of notifiable diseases:- Varroosis, American foul brood and European foul brood.

Varroa

Spring and autumn varroa surveys are carried out by Bee Inspectors covering around 120 hives each season. 

The next survey will commence in April 2002, and the inspectors will contact beekeepers at random to carry out a test on their hives. 

Samples are initially checked by the Bee Inspectors and submitted to the laboratory at Newforge Lane for microscopic examination and confirmation of suspect organisms.

Samples for varroa testing from apiaries not covered by the surveys can also be submitted through the inspectors or direct to: Paul Moore, at the address given below.

These samples can take various forms:-

1. summer inserts – 6 weeks debris collection fallen through mesh on to white or light coloured paper or card on the hive floor. Mid to late July.
2. applying strips of Bayvoral or Apistan as per manufacture’s instructions and collecting fallen dead mites on white paper inserts or
3. scraping hive floor debris in the spring and collecting in a plastic bag.

Any samples should be sent in sealed containers or tied polythene bags along with telephone number and address and any comments on hive activity or health.

Self-examining drone brood in late spring with an uncapping fork would also give a quick answer.

American and European Foul Broods

Suspect foul brood samples should be submitted in wrapped newspaper inside a sealed polythene bag via the Bee Inspectors or direct to the laboratory at Newforge Lane.

Varroosis, American foul brood and European foul brood are all notifiable diseases and the appropriate measures must be followed in case of positive findings.

Educational courses relating to Bees are run by CAFRE. For further information please contact: -

Short Courses Project Officer :  

Kevin O’Donnell
College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise
Greenmount Campus
22 Greenmount Road
ANTRIM
BT41 4PU

Tel: 028 9442 6631
Fax: 028 9442 6777
Email: kevin.o’donnell@dardni.gov.uk