Practical Guide: 3.1.1 Protocol sheet Bee poisoning
This protocol sheet facilitates the structured documentation of suspected bee poisoning and provides precise instructions for taking and sending samples. It is intended for beekeepers and competent persons to support coordinated clarification. The content is based on the official checklist 3.1.1 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Official Practical Guide (BGD / SSA) – Summary
Practical Guide: 3.1.1 Bee Poisoning Protocol Sheet
- Objective: Comprehensively record information in cases of suspected poisoning and guide sample collection and dispatch.
- Section: 4. Observed symptoms – Number of affected colonies, date of first observation, description of symptoms, situation of neighbouring apiaries, and suspicion of malicious act.
- Section: 5. Suspected treatment (within a 3 km radius around the apiary) – Crop, distance, growth stage, flowering understorey crops, product/mixture, dosage, date/time, application method, and weather conditions.
- Warning: "Wear disposable gloves when collecting the sample. Wash your hands thoroughly after collection."
- Procedure (collection): "Collect a minimum of 100 g (approx. 1,000 freshly dead or dying bees) and place them in a clean, air-permeable container (paper bag/cardboard)."
- Procedure (dispatch): "The bee sample must be sent chilled (2 cooling packs per shipment) by PostPac Priority …" and "Do not send parcels on Fridays! Store at +4°C until Monday."
- Important: "Please ensure that this fully completed and signed protocol sheet is enclosed with the sample without fail!"
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Summary compiled on the basis of Practical Guide 3.1.1 (V 2507). Last verified: 01/2026.