05/28/2026
URGENT: American Foulbrood (AFB) has been confirmed in Will County, Illinois. If you are a beekeeper please take this issue seriously. AFB is often fatal to colonies, frequently resulting in mandatory destruction of the affected hives.
Please review the following links for information on American Foulbrood (AFB), followed by a letter from the Illiana Beekeepers Alliance outlining the incident, recommended actions, and contact information for state agencies.
• University of Florida Honey Bee Lab: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UEEegyMzow
• Honey Bee Health Coalition:https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/HBHC_VET_revised_112122.pdf
• Penn State Extension: https://extension.psu.edu/honey-bee-diseases-american-foulbrood
Letter to the Membership of the Illiana Beekeepers Alliance
Date: May 27, 2026
To: All Members of the Illiana Beekeepers Alliance
Dear Fellow Beekeepers,
I am writing to alert you to a confirmed outbreak of American Foulbrood (AFB), caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae, in eastern Will County, Illinois. This is a highly contagious and serious disease that can quickly destroy honey bee brood and entire colonies. AFB spores are extremely resilient and can remain viable in wax, honey, and equipment for decades. Humans are not susceptible, but the impact on our bees and apiaries can be devastating.
According to the official notice from the Illinois Department of Agriculture and information shared by Apiary Inspector Chad McGuinnis:
• In April 2026, honey bee colonies in eastern Will County tested positive for AFB.
• Affected colonies were inspected, sampled, placed under quarantine, and later abated (destroyed) under Department oversight in early May 2026 in accordance with Illinois law.
• Importantly, prior to the initial inspection, bee equipment that may have been contaminated—including approximately 70 boxes with full drawn comb from 10 affected colonies—was sold to other beekeepers. Forty boxes have been tracked to Iroquois County, and authorities are still attempting to locate the remaining 30.
• Additional nearby colonies continue to be inspected and sampled.
Critical Warnings:
• Do not purchase used equipment, drawn comb, or nucs without thoroughly knowing the source and history. Avoid buying used beekeeping items on Facebook Marketplace or similar platforms, especially any equipment originating from Will County in the past 6 months.
• If you have purchased used equipment or bees from the Will County area recently, please contact Inspector Chad McGuinnis immediately so he can assess whether your gear is at risk.
What to Look For in Your Apiary (Key Symptoms of AFB):
• Brood Pattern and Cappings: Spotty or irregular brood pattern; sunken, dark, greasy, or perforated cappings; cappings that become moist, darken, and collapse.
• Larval and Pupal Symptoms: Larvae die after cells are sealed; color changes from white to creamy brown to dark brown/black; remains are soft, brown, and ropy when probed (ropy stage lasts ~3 weeks); pupal “tongue” may protrude.
• Scales: Dark brown, tightly adhered scales at the bottom of cells containing up to 100 million spores.
• Odor: Foul smell in later stages.
• Overall Comb Appearance: Patchy mix of healthy and affected cells; dark sunken cappings; moist or ropy remains; scales may glow greenish-blue under blacklight.
Recommended Actions:
1. Immediately inspect all parts of your apiary — live colonies, dead colonies/outyards, and all used equipment.
2. Monitor closely throughout the season.
3. If you observe any symptoms of AFB, contact your local apiary inspector right away.
4. Practice strict hygiene: Sterilize equipment properly and avoid spreading potential contamination.
5. Share this notice with neighboring beekeepers.
Contact Information:
• Illinois Beekeepers: Contact Chad McGuinnis, Illinois Department of Agriculture Apiary Inspector (cell: 815-383-2654). He is happy to answer questions and help confirm risk.
• Indiana Beekeepers: Contact Jared Spokowsky, Indiana Apiary Inspector, Indiana Department of Natural Resources at 317-447-0084.
For more detailed information on identification and management, refer to resources from USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Penn State Extension, and the Honey Bee Health Coalition.
Please remain vigilant. Early detection and rapid response are essential to protecting our bees and the broader beekeeping community. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to the inspectors listed above or to fellow members of the Alliance.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Together, we can help contain this threat through careful management and open communication.
Respectfully,
The Board of Directors, Illiana Beekeepers Alliance
Serving the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Region
