Brood Cell Samples
- Brood cell samples are used to detect bacterial American foulbrood AFB and European foulbrood EFB (Sacbrood virus can be confused with these.)
- The contents of suspect brood cells can be collected using a toothpick.
- Place the contents of one or more brood cells and the toothpick in a small plastic bag or piece of Saran wrap.
- Place the sample in a clearly marked envelope with your name and contact details.
- Please do NOT mail pieces of comb or brood frame, these must be personally delivered to the Animal Health Centre in Abbotsford.
Whole Bees
- Whole bee samples are used to diagnose Nosema and viruses.
- Collect 50 – 60 adult bees (ideally foragers) dead or alive from the hive entrance area.
- Place specimens in a paper bag and freeze for 3 days.
- After 3 days, remove the sample bag from freezer and allow to thaw.
- Place sample bag into a cardboard shipment container.
- Fill empty space with paper towel or absorbent materials.
- Alternatively, after the 3 days of freezing, place 50 bees onto a sheet of paper towel and fold down and close with tape. Place in a bubble envelope for shipment.
- Include your name and contact details inside the envelope along with a brief description of the colony that was sampled.