Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Ernest T. Bass on March 24, 2010, 10:16:24 PM

Title: Dead mites bad for human consumption?
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on March 24, 2010, 10:16:24 PM
Hey all!

Lost my hives last winter, I think at least in part due to a varroa overload. There were quite a bit of stores left to enjoy and to start new colonies with though, so I'm happy for that... On to my question, though. I've noticed quite a few dead mites (all dead; it's been sub-freezing for a while), scattered throughout the comb, and even in the pollen. There is quite a lot of pollen frames and we've been enjoying snacking on them, but are now concerned about the dead mites. Is there any way they could be dangerous to humans? They're parasites, but being that they spend they're whole lives in the sterile environment of the bee colony, could they be carrying disease?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Dead mites bad for human consumption?
Post by: Beaver Dam on March 24, 2010, 10:45:11 PM
I fry mine till a nice golden brown in canola oil. Taste like chicken. JUST JOKING, JUST JOKING.
Title: Re: Dead mites bad for human consumption?
Post by: Ollie on March 25, 2010, 10:09:45 PM
They probably won't do you any harm. But I really don't have a clue as to why I would think that!

I am quite fond of mites Kebab myself, with a little lemon...Umm.
Title: Re: Dead mites bad for human consumption?
Post by: iddee on March 25, 2010, 10:16:31 PM
You take pollen for protein. Mites just add a bit more protein.
Title: Re: Dead mites bad for human consumption?
Post by: AllenF on March 30, 2010, 11:03:10 PM
You do strain you honey, don't you?  They should get caught up with all the other trash.  Freeze the supper for a day or two to kill out all the bugs.  I would not worry about them.
Title: Re: Dead mites bad for human consumption?
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on April 03, 2010, 05:54:32 PM
Yes, they honey is strained; it's the pollen combs I'm talking about. They've already been frozen..

Thanks for the thoughts, guys! I guess I'll just pick out whatever I can find and not worry about it..