DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES PROVIDED BY SASA DURING COVID-19 CRISIS
During the restrictions due to the control of Covid-19, many SASA staff will be working from home. The laboratory will therefore only be attended on an ‘on call’ basis to process urgent samples. Please do not send bee health samples directly to the lab unless instructed to by one of our team as they will not be sorted or processed.
The Bee Health Improvement Team has put in place the following system to continue to support Scottish Beekeepers during this crisis. We thank you for your assistance and patience to help us manage our work safely whilst supporting the health of your bees.
VARROA AND NON-NOTIFIABLE ‘NATIVE’ PESTS AND DISEASES
An online support system will be available for beekeepers wishing to report concerns of colony loss where they would normally send a sample of adult bees or debris to SASA for analysis – in the first instance they should email Graeme.Sharpe@sruc.ac.uk including as much details as possible:
• Details of operation: number of hives / apiaries
• Full description of symptoms
• Digital photos (phone / camera ) if possible
• Colony strength
• Management prior to the colony loss (or reported symptoms).
FOULBROOD AND EXOTIC PESTS: (CONTINUE AS NORMAL)
If you have a reason to suspect the presence of a notifiable disease or pest in your honey bee colonies, please contact the Bee Inspectorate at Bees_Mailbox@gov.scot
The Bee Inspectors will discuss with you the symptoms and if Notifiable Disease is suspected we will either visit you or provide you with instructions for sampling.
Thank you and please stay safe,
The Bee Health Improvement Team