Get Help with Hive Health to Honey Quality

We accept samples from across Canada and provide expert diagnostics to support beekeepers, researchers, and industry. Our testing covers a wide range of honey bee health concerns, including:

  • American Foulbrood (AFB)
  • European Foulbrood (EFB)
  • Nosema
  • Varroa mites
  • Tracheal mites
  • Honeybee viruses

We also offer chemical residue analysis on honey, bees, pollen, and propolis in collaboration with the Chemistry Laboratory of Agriculture and Rural Development (Government of Alberta). 

Honey composition testing is also available, including analysis of sweetness and floral origin.

We accept samples from across Canada and provide expert diagnostics to support beekeepers, researchers, and industry. Our testing covers a wide range of honey bee health concerns, including:

  • American Foulbrood (AFB)
  • European Foulbrood (EFB)
  • Nosema
  • Varroa mites
  • Tracheal mites
  • Honeybee viruses

We also offer chemical residue analysis on honey, bees, pollen, and propolis in collaboration with the Chemistry Laboratory of Agriculture and Rural Development (Government of Alberta). 

Honey composition testing is also available, including analysis of sweetness and floral origin.

FAQ's

Sampling Approach

Depending on the concern, some samples may be taken per apiary or per colony.

  • When the main interest is overall apiary health, a composite sample of adult bees from eight randomly selected colonies in each apiary will be required (we recommend one (1) composite sample for up to 1,000 colonies).
  • When a specific colony is the main concern, one sample of adult bees or comb from this colony will be required.
Apiary Colony
  • Collect a sample of 80-100 adult bees from each of the EIGHT randomly selected colonies for each apiary that you sample
  • One 1/2 NBDC container = ~100 bees
  • Samples will be composited in the NBDC, therefore samples must be sent in individual containers.
  • Collect ONE sample of 100-300 adult bees from each colony that you sample
  • One Full NBDC container = ~200 bees
 

Sample Type and Amount Required

The type and amount of sample required depend on the disease or condition suspected.

Suspected Disease/Condition Sample Type and Amount
Nosema and Tracheal mites Adult bees from the honey frame (120 bees required)
Varroa mites Adult bees from the brood frame (300 bees required)
American Foulbrood (AFB) and European Foulbrood (EFB)
  • A piece of comb containing diseased brood or entire frame
  • Adult Bees from the brood frame (120 bees required)
Viruses Live adult bees or diseased brood bees required
Chemical toxicity (residue)
  • Honey (20 g required)
  • Adult bees (200 bees required)
  • Pollen (10 g required)
  • Propolis (10 g required)
Antibiotic residues in honey Honey (20 g required)
 

Sampling Procedure

It is recommended to examine frames of the entire colony to find the queen before taking any samples. This will ensure that the queen will not end up in the sample container.

Comb sample

Cut a piece of brood comb about 10 cm x 10 cm containing the suspected diseased brood. Wrap the sample in paper towels or newsprint and send it packaged loosely in a cardboard box. Avoid honey, pollen or nectar in the sample and do NOT put samples in a plastic or airtight container. If possible, send one full frame with eggs and larvae at multiple stages.

Adult Bees

Collect bees in 30 dram vials (~120mL). The NBDC will provide sample containers upon request. Similar containers can be purchased at local stores (e.g. urine sample containers or plastic honey jars). Keep it in the freezer until it is ready to submit.

Live adult bees (for viral analysis):

Collect adult bees and transfer to a live bee shipping box, or use a plastic vial and add a queen candy or a sugar cube. If using a plastic vial, ensure the container is aerated by making a few holes on the lid or on the side of the container. Bees must be shipped alive in order to preserve RNA integrity for viral testing.

Honey

Collect in a glass or plastic container with a screw cap. Please seal the container properly to avoid leakage. Keep in a cool place or refrigerate until able to send.

Pollen

Collect from a pollen trap or bee bread from the brood frame in a plastic container with a screw cap. Keep it in the freezer until it is ready to submit.

Propolis

Scrape propolis with a hive tool while avoiding contamination with bee parts, paint or wood in the sample as best as possible. Propolis can be tested in its resin form or in alcohol.

Labelling

Sample containers must indicate:

  • Beekeeper’s name
  • Colony ID, if a composite sample, write Apiary ID
  • Date of sample collection
  • Type of sample (e.g. honey frame; brood frame, etc.)

* Please use a permanent marker to record information

Package preparation

  • Check that all sample containers/boxes are properly sealed and labelled (if possible, send samples that were frozen with ice packs).
  • Complete the online submission form.

Shipment

Submit samples using Express or Priority service. We suggest samples are sent on a Monday or Tuesday, so they arrive during the business week (Mon-Fri). Samples may also be dropped off at our office. Canada Post is the only carrier that will ship live bees; if you are sending live samples, send via Canada Post, express service.

Mailing Address

Canada Post Shipments
National Bee Diagnostic Centre
P.O. Box 1118
Beaverlodge, AB T0H 0C0

Other Couriers
National Bee Diagnostic Centre
100038A TWP RD 720
Beaverlodge, AB T0H 0C0

Results

Results will be available within two weeks of sample receipt in the lab. Chemical residue analyses will be complete within three weeks of receipt.

NBDC Diagnostic Services Fees

Services Fee
Africanized genetics $60.00
Nosema count $20.00
Varroa mites count $20.00
Tracheal mite detection $33.00
Nosema species identification $33.00
American Foulbrood detection $33.00
European Foulbrood detection $33.00
Chalk brood detection $33.00
Queen health assessment $33.00
Antibiotic resistance - European or American Foulbrood $27.00
Malpighamaoeba mellificae $45.00
Virus detection/quantification - each $45.00
Virus detection – 3 viruses $120.00
Virus detection – 5 viruses $185.00
Virus detection – 7 viruses $250.00
Virus detection – 9 viruses $300.00
 

Chemical Residue Testing Fees

Testing is conducted at the Chemistry Lab of Agriculture & Rural Development - Government of Alberta

Antibiotic Residues in Honey    
Test Analytes Fee
Honey Quality Package
  • Colour
  • Moisture
  • Sugars
  • Tetracycline Antibiotics
  • Tylosin
 $210.00
Fumagillin
  • Fumagillin
  • Dicyclohexylamine
 $50.00
Tetracycline Antibiotics
  • Chlortetracycline
  • Oxytetracycline
  • Tetracycline
 $100.00
Tylosin Antibiotics
  • Tylosin A
  • Desmyciosin (Tylosin B)
 $50.00
Glyphosate
  • Glyphosate
 $50.00
Quinclora
  • Quinclora
 $50.00
Pesticide Residue Analysis

 

 
Synthetic Acaricides
  • Amitraz degradation products
  • Coumaphos
  • Flumethrin
  • Fluvalinate
 $150.00
 

Payment

Customers will be invoiced directly by Northwestern Polytechnic. Please contact NWP Financial Services directly for payment options:

Phone: 780-539-2026
Fax: 780-539-2832
Email: @email
 

 

NBDC Online Sample Submission
Submit samples for diagnostics and/or chemical analysis
Optional Billing Address
If your billing address is different than the contact address listed above please add it here.
Samples
In the "Sample ID" column, please include an identification number (colony ID, apiary ID, etc.) that will identify your sample.
Tests
If you are not sure which tests you need, please leave this section blank and include the observed symptoms and any other relevant information in the "Sample Notes" section above.
DIAGNOSTICS #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10
Chemical Analysis
Chemical Analysis #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10

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Get in Touch

NWP National Bee Diagnostic Centre

Office: BVE104

Phone: 780-357-7737

Email: NBDC@nwpolytech.ca