Submission of Samples for Diagnosis:

General Instructions

·         Beekeepers, bee businesses, and regulatory officials may submit samples.

·         Samples are accepted from U.S. states and territories, and from Canada; samples are NOT accepted from other countries.  For samples originating from Canada click here.

·         Include a short description of the problem along with your name, address, phone number or e-mail address.

·         There is no charge for this service.

·         For additional information, contact Bart Smith by phone at (301) 504-8821 or e-mail: bart.smith@ars.usda.gov

 

How to Send Adult Honey Bees

·         Send at least 100 bees and if possible, select bees that are dying or that died recently. Decayed bees are not satisfactory for examination.

·         Bees should be placed in and soaked with 70% ethyl, methyl, or isopropyl alcohol as soon as possible after collection and packed in leak-proof containers.

·         USPS, UPS, and FedEx do no accept shipments containing alcohol.  Just prior to mailing samples, pour off all excess alcohol to meet shipping requirements.

 

How to send brood samples

·         A comb sample should be at least 2 x 2 inches and contain as much of the dead or discolored brood as possible. NO HONEY SHOULD BE PRESENT IN THE SAMPLE.

·         The comb can be sent in a paper bag or loosely wrapped in a paper towel, newspaper, etc. and sent in a heavy cardboard box. AVOID wrappings such as plastic, aluminum foil, waxed paper, tin, glass, etc. because they promote decomposition and the growth of mold.

·         If a comb cannot be sent, the probe used to examine a diseased larva in the cell may contain enough material for tests. The probe can be wrapped in paper and sent to the laboratory in an envelope.

 

Send samples to:

    Bee Disease Diagnosis
Bee Research Laboratory
Bldg. 306 Room 316

    Beltsville Agricultural Research Center - East
Beltsville, MD 20705