Foulbrood in feral colony?

[Wandering Man]

I've posted this on another forum (sorry), but I wanted to ask this group the same questions:

I have a friend who wants to raise bees. He has a tree in his backyard with an established colony. He has been trying to capture them with sweet lemongrass oil in a hive placed nearby. As we began messaging back and forth about the possibilities, he mentioned that the hive has a foul odor, and he is worried there may be something wrong. He has attempted to treat with Tetracycline, but does not think that has helped.

 I've advised him to try to pull out a section of comb and check for AFB, and to not put the comb in his equipment unless he knows for sure it isn't AFB.

 Assuming it is, after soaping the bees, what precautions should he take before trying to bring a new colony to his home?

 I think he should probably seal off the hole in the tree once he kills the bees. Is there anything else? Am I being too cautious in my recommendations to him?

 I've also suggested he contact Coastal Bend Beekeeper's Association for help.

 Is it possible that the smell is from something else?

[apisbees]

dead rotting bees stink. weather they have a brood disease or not. In a hive that the bees are somewhat maintaining and are still keeping the dead bees cleared out in Then when you do get the smell it is easy to attribute it to AFB. If he wants to capture the bees he would have to do a trap out with a cone so the bees can not reenter the colony. and feed medicated syrup to the catch hive continually through the trap out and for 2 weeks beyond.

[iddee]

It could be stagnant water in the bottom of the hollow tree. I would advise him to get them tested for AFB. No need in killing a good hive without knowing what it is.

[Wandering Man]

I am hoping someone from the local beek association will be willing to go out and help.  I thought if he could pull a bit of comb out with brood in it, he could do a matchstick test.

apisbees, have you got a picture with an example of a cone/trap-out?

[iddee]

Here's all you need, and maybe more, to do a trapout.

http://www.worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/index.php/topic,29.0.html

[apisbees]

If he has no access to brood so the bees can raise a new queen. He could try to catch a swarm from it. Diseased colonies depending on the level of infection will not build up that well and with the amount of brood that is dying will not get strong enough to swarm.

[Wandering Man]

Here's all you need, and maybe more, to do a trapout.

http://www.worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/index.php/topic,29.0.html

Thanks!  That is a fantastic video!