Disease in bee equipment has been endemic in Gamma Irradiation treatment is used to sterilise medical, commercial and amateur beekeeping for as long as anyone can remember. American Foulbrood, especially, has been a problem that beekeepers have had to continuously work hard to eliminate. For all the hard work that beekeepers invest, AFB is still prevalent within the beekeeping industry today. However, there is a way to manage the disease in hives and other equipment. The solution is Gamma Irradiation.
Gamma Irradiation treatment is used to sterilise medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural and imported goods, as well as many other different products that have, or potentially have, contamination or infestation issues.
It is a very popular process as it does not use chemicals, so there are no residues in treated goods. This means the goods are available for immediate use once treated, without any quarantine periods at all. In the case of bee equipment, where it can be difficult to ensure chemicals and other forms of treatment reach every area of the equipment being treated, Gamma Irradiation does not have that problem.
The gamma rays within the irradiation process penetrate every part of the item being treated. That means that any pathogens or insects, within every area of the hive, are eliminated. Nothing can hide from the irradiation process!
What does Gamma Irradiation eliminate?
The irradiation treatment is so effective, it eliminates AFB, EFB, all mould and fungus, insects and pests, including all stages of Small Hive Beetle.
Where is the Irradiation treatment conducted?
Gamma Irradiation treatment in Australia is conducted by Steritech. Steritech has sites in Narangba Qld, Wetherill Park NSW and Dandenong Vic. Each Steritech site has an irradiation chamber that is different in its design, so the requirements for presentation of equipment are different at each Steritech site.
Go to www.steritech.com.au/industries/beekeeping and spend some time looking at all the useful information
The Steritech website has fantastic information for all beekeepers, where all the requirements for presenting bee equipment for irradiation treatment have been included. It also provides the history of irradiation of bee equipment, how the process works, the forms required to request treatment and a video of Doug Somerville explaining how to prepare equipment for treatment.
Steritech provide cartons to assist beekeepers prepare material for irradiation
Update: Steritech NSW now has the new Steritech Bee Carton. This carton reduces the time to prepare equipment. Find out more about this major update by downloading the Steritech NSW Irradiation of Bee Equipment Form from the Steritech website.
How much equipment can be sent to Steritech each time?
Steritech are able to receive any quantity of equipment, from one single hive and upwards. They regularly receive very large consignments of bee equipment.
Think about consolidating your equipment with other club members or beekeepers in your area to send for irradiation treatment. This helps you by treating one geographical area at the same time to help minimise the risk of disease.
A lot of beekeepers use irradiation treatment as a preventative measure. This means sending your equipment for treatment before you start using it (mainly prior to the start of the season). You then know your equipment is disease free. Bees love a nice, clean hive!
Timber Hives v Plastic Hives
Timber bee equipment has been irradiated for over 40 years and can be treated over and over again. Metal components are also fine to irradiate.
Irradiation can damage certain types of plastics. Polypropylene equipment is an example whereby it becomes brittle when exposed to irradiation at doses higher than 30kGy. It is not recommended to send equipment that contains polypropylene components.
*Jamie Crighton
