A small plasic jar is best. A 100 g honey sample jar is excellent but any small clean recycled plastic container is acceptable. Glass does not mail well at all. As an alternative, samples have been sent successfully in small labelled ziplock type bags placed in small carbord boxes.
In most cases NZP fast post is sufficient if the sample is 1) kept in the freezer until ready to post; 2) taken directly to the post office (ie., not a rural pick up); and 3) sent from an urban or town address. Courier is best if you live in a rual location or you are not sure if overnight delivery is possble.
No. We only need a sample of 25 complete bees to undertake either test. A sample of 50 provides a buffer if restesting is needed. We do not need hundreds of bees, so leave them in the hive.
No. Every bee keeper needs to know how to identify AFB, obtain their DECA (Disease Elimination Conformity Agreement) and know what actions to take if AFB is suspected. Go to the AFB Management Agency's website for further details .
No. Varroa is a parasitic mite the lives on bees, spreading viruses and weakening the bees. Like Nosema, Varroa infestation is generally not visible to the bee keeper until it become acute. Varroa infestation generally leads to Parasitic Mite Syndrom (PMS) that can kill a hive as well. Signs include mites visible on the bees, deformed wing virus and other subtle signs. The best way to test for Varroa is through monitoring of mite levels using techniques such as a sugar roll or sticky boards.
