[Comparative studies of plans for controlling American foulbrood in public aviaries]

Comparative testing was carried out on two control programmes against American foul brood in the public apiaries and honey-producing enterprises. A total of 19 apiaries with 2580 bee colonies were used in the experiments. It was found that there was an inapparent epizootic process in such apiaries, owing to which the destruction of the apparently affected honeybee colonies, without applying special measures to the occasionally normal ones did not interrupt the development of the disease. It is suggested to carry out preventive treatment of the normal bee colonies in such foci with therapeutic drugs according to a definite programme, after the affected colonies have been eliminated. Sanation measures should be applied under the supervision of veterinary organs. Beehives, originating from apiaries affected with American foul brood could be used again for the raising of honeybees after disinfection with perfumaric acid.