Disinfection of Honeybee Combs by Gamma Irradiation I. American Foul Brood Disease

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Abstract
Entire brood combs containing large numbers of larvae with American foul brood disease (scales) were irradiated in 5-frame small hives in a pneumatic facility designed by Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd. Outgrowth of spores in vitro and protease activity of the scales were not eliminated by exposure up to 1·0 Mrad of gamma radiation from the Co60 source; however, infectivity of such combs was almost completely eliminated by 0–2 Mrad. Approximately 0·01 % of the spores capable of germination and outgrowth from untreated scale material were found viable in culture after exposure to this level. The amount of sucrose syrup fed to colonies or the time of year they were inoculated had little effect on the progress of the disease.