Free Access
Issue
Apidologie
Volume 34, Number 6, November-December 2003
Page(s) 569 - 575
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2003052
Apidologie 34 (2003) 569-575
DOI: 10.1051/apido:2003052

Controlling European foulbrood with the shook swarm method and oxytetracycline in the UK

Ruth J. Waite, Michael A. Brown, Helen M. Thompson and Medwin H. Bew

National Bee Unit, Central Science Laboratory, York, YO41 1LZ, UK
(Received 15 November 2002; revised 17 March 2003; accepted 8 April 2003)

Abstract
Colonies infected with European foulbrood (EFB) were treated with the shook swarm method in combination with oxytetracycline (OTC) and compared with those treated with OTC alone, the usual treatment for EFB in England and Wales. Success rates and instances of recurrence in the following season were recorded in the seasons 2000 and 2001 respectively. Both treatments had similar success rates with respect to elimination of EFB in 2000. Shook swarm plus OTC treatment resulted in a lower level of EFB recurrence in the 2001 season than OTC treatment alone. Colonies treated with the shook swarm plus OTC method showed a recurrence rate of 4.8%, whereas those treated with OTC alone had a recurrence in 21.1% of cases. The differences were shown to be significant at the 10% level. These results suggest that the shook swarm plus OTC method could be a valid method for EFB treatment and control in the UK.


Key words: European foulbrood / shook swarm / oxytetracycline / disease control / alternative method

Correspondence and reprints: Ruth J. Waite R.Waite@csl.gov.uk

© INRA, EDP Sciences, DIB, AGIB 2003