Episode Details

On today's episode, Jeff and Becky talk with Dr. Meghan Milbrath, assistant professor at Michigan State University. Meghan splits her time between teaching at the MSU veterinary school, extension and research. On today's episode, Meghan discusses the impact European foulbrood on today's honey bees and what beekeepers can do to fight its spread.

EFB is misunderstood and not heavily researched, but as we've been learning (listen to our episode with Dr. Andony Melanthopoulos for additional information on EFB) it's negative impact to honey bees - especially (for unknown reasons) those going into blueberries - are costly.

European Foulbrood, caused by the bacterium Melissococcus plutonius, presents a significant challenge in beekeeping. This brood disease, primarily affecting young larvae, can have considerable economic impact due to its potential to weaken or even destroy bee colonies if left unmanaged. In the U.S., where beekeeping plays a crucial role in agriculture, both for honey production and for pollinating crops, the repercussions of EFB are notably economic.

The impact of EFB is multifaceted. Firstly, it reduces the population of healthy bees in a colony, leading to lower honey production. For beekeepers, especially in their initial years, this translates to direct revenue loss. Additionally, weakened colonies are less effective pollinators, affecting crop yields. This has broader implications for agriculture, as many crops depend on bees for pollination.

The cost of managing EFB also contributes to its economic impact. This includes the expenses related to veterinary care, antibiotics (where allowed and appropriate), and sometimes the replacement of affected colonies. There's also an indirect cost in the time and labor invested in monitoring and managing bee health to prevent outbreaks.

While EFB doesn't always lead to colony loss, its presence can significantly set back a beekeeping operation, both financially and in terms of colony development. Understanding and managing this disease is crucial for maintaining healthy bee populations and ensuring the economic viability of beekeeping in the United States. Research and science-based practices continue to be key in mitigating the impacts of EFB and supporting the beekeeping industry.

Listen today, as Dr. Meghan Milbrath discusses EFB and what beekeepers can do to limit the impact of this disease, what treatments are being developed, and what you can do should your colonies become infected.

Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

• Meghan at MSU - https://www.canr.msu.edu/people/meghan_milbrath
• Michigan Pollinator Initiative - https://pollinators.msu.edu/
• Meghan's The Sand Hill - http://www.sandhillbees.com/
• Honey Bee Obscura - https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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