How a U.S. Dog Is Sniffing Out Deadly Bee Bacterial Diseases
Maple isn’t your ordinary pet. This nine-year-old English springer spaniel has found a second career, sniffing out danger in beehives. Her mission? To detect American foulbrood, a bacterial threat that devastates honeybee colonies. Her story blends innovation, hope, and a little canine charm.
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Maple’s New Role in Bee Protection
Once a human-remains detector for a sheriff’s office, Maple retired after an on-duty injury. Rather than slowing down, she gained a fresh purpose at Michigan State University’s Pollinator Performance Center. Trainer Sue Stejskal, frustrated to find nothing pre-made, outfitted Maple in a custom yellow suit, complete with head veil and paw booties, to protect her when she moves through active bee yards.
Maple’s sharp nose helps researchers identify American foulbrood, a serious disease that kills bee larvae and forces beekeepers to burn infected hives. Thanks to her, MSU now aims to train more detection dogs and plans to publish a guidebook so other teams can follow the same method.
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Why This Matters for Bee Health
Honeybees play a critical role in U.S. agriculture, pollinating a vast array of crops. Their decline stems from disease, pesticides, limited food sources, and climate shifts. Detecting and stopping American foulbrood early can save both colonies and crucial equipment. When infection strikes, losses multiply, honey yields disappear, and sturdy hive gear may go up in flames.
Misconceptions to Clear Up
Some readers may wonder: Is a dog really useful in beehives? Maple shows that dogs bring unmatched scent detection, offering faster, non-invasive screening. Others may worry about bee stings—Maple’s gear and training eliminate that risk. Finally, people might think this project is just a novelty. In truth, it addresses real threats to pollinator health and helps beekeepers manage disease effectively.
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Guidance from the Experts
Professor Meghan Milbrath, an entomologist at MSU, leads the lab focused on honeybee risk factors. She collaborated with Stejskal after a vet introduced them. The duo adapted police-dog training and created a reliable, repeatable detection method. Their strategy includes careful documentation of Maple’s work and an upcoming how-to manual.
Stejskal emphasizes safety for both dog and hive. Her background in twenty-plus years of law enforcement dog training helped shape Maple’s protocol. Custom-fitting dog PPE ensures she stays protected while providing valuable biological screening.
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Our Opinion
I find Maple’s story truly uplifting. Dogs often amaze us with skills we don’t expect. Seeing one jump from criminal search work to helping pollinators brings a warm smile and real hope. It shows creativity can revive a career and support an ecosystem.
Why This Matters to You
Wildlife and agriculture intertwine more than we see on our plates. A healthier hive means better crops and stable ecosystems. Maple represents how humans and dogs can hedge against environmental threats, one sniff at a time.
Source: AP News
