OSU Honey Bee Lab
Bee trouble? You can send a sample of bees to the OSU Honey Bee Lab for pest and disease diagnostics. We welcome samples from anyone, OSBA members or not. No charge.
Collecting Samples for Analyses
Sampling
- When you head out to the hive/apiary to collect your sample(s), bring with you a small, lidded plastic container for every hive you plan to sample.
- Sample at least 300 live workers from a brood frame.
- Once you have made sure the queen is not on your chosen frame, you may scoop bees directly off the frame into your sample container or shake bees into a plastic tub, then scoop bees into container.
- Label the container with a hive name or number and the date. Use a permanent marker and write directly on the container. (Stickers sometimes fall off.)
- Immediately place the sample(s) in the freezer.
Shipping
- When you are ready to ship, pack up your securely sealed samples in a box and include a note on the colony/apiary history.
- Please tell us about your concerns, and please tell us your last mite count and your mite management regime.
- Include your name, email address, and phone number.
Ship to this exact address:
Honey Bee Lab
OSU Horticulture
2750 SW Campus Way; ALS 4017
Corvallis, OR 97331
Lab Members
From top left: Carolyn Breece, Priya Chakrabarti, Emily Carlson, Ellie Chapkin, Hannah Lucas, and Ellen Topitzhofer