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Honeybees

honeybees on a comb

In the past, veterinarians were rarely involved in working with honeybees.  When the FDA’s Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) final rule went into effect in 2017, the need for veterinarians in bee medicine increased. VFD drugs include all medically important antibiotics for use in feed for food producing animals, including honey bees. This class of drugs is required to be under the oversight of a veterinarian through a VFD order with a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship.

Regulation of Honeybees in Indiana

The entomology division of the Indiana DNR is the regulatory body for honey bees and apiaries in Indiana. Inspectors check hives for disease, take samples for disease testing, and write export health papers.

Honeybee Resources

Hive owners continue to reach out to BOAH for assistance in identifying veterinarians who can help with hive issues and prescribing drugs for treatment. Veterinarians who are willing to provide veterinary services to hive owners may contact BOAH (animalhealth@boah.in.gov) to be added to a referral list.