Efficacy of lincomycin and tylosin in controlling American foulbrood in honey bee colonies

SUMMARYTwo antibiotics were both shown to be effective in controlling American foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae larvae) in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. Two dosages (100 or 200 mg) of tylosin tartrate or lincomycin hydrochloride were evaluated. Each antibiotic was applied in 20 g of confectioner's sugar three times at 7-day intervals. The higher dosage of both antibiotics gave consistent control after 45 days. The lower dose of 100 mg did not result in complete control in the colonies treated with tylosin; one of the 10 colonies still had detectable disease after 45 days. Thus, a dose of 200 mg applied three times over three weeks in dust form was highly effective in controlling American foulbrood and represents an appropriate dose for either of these antibiotics.