Free Bee Disease Diagnosis Service

Not all beekeepers are familiar with the USDA Bee Research Laboratory located in Maryland.   The laboratory provides free diagnosis of diseases in honey bees.  According to their site "Samples received of adult bees and beeswax comb (with and without bee brood) are examined for bacterial, fungal and microsporidian diseases as well as for two species of parasitic mites and other pests associated with honey bees (i.e., small hive beetle, Aethina tumida). When requested, American foulbrood samples are cultured and isolates are screened for their sensitivity to Terramycin (oxytetracycline) and Tylan (tylosin).

Learn how to submit samples at the laboratory's website and better understand the challenges your bees are facing!