Disinfection of wooden structures contaminated with Paenibacillus larvae subsp larvae spores

Aims: The aim of the study is to examine the disinfection of wood contamina ted with Paenibacillus larvae subsp. larvae spores, in order to find a prac tical decontamination method for hive materials. Methods and Results: The number of viable spores recovered after the treatm ent, on the surface by swabbing, and in the deeper parts of the wood by scr aping, was used to test the efficiency of the disinfection. Our results ind icate that chemical disinfection is only complete when high concentrations (> 50%) of the disinfectant are used. Heat treatment in general was found t o be very effective. The scorching of wood was not satisfactory as it only killed spores at the surface. Conclusions: Complete disinfection is only possible with some heat treatmen ts or by using high concentrations of chemical disinfectants. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study puts forward some methods that can provide complete decontamination, which is necessary for an effect ive control of American foulbrood disease.