I just noticed that in one of the hives I have worms -- they are on average about 4-5 mm long, but some are as long as 10 mm. They are mobile, and crawling around. There are in some cases 2-3 worms in a cell. Hive seems healthy (as far as I can tell being a 1 year beekeeper), population seems OK, and there are bees around the worms. I pulled one of the frames (the least heavy one with no fully built comb) and took a picture.
I have not been able to get Ohio inspector to check my bees, and I have been trying for the last year multiple times.
What should I do? Any advise would be appreciated.
Regards,
George
(http://s30.postimg.org/ehi8erv8t/worm_in_bee_cell.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ehi8erv8t/)
I noticed one last night on a box during an inspection. It was about 15 mm (an inch = 25.4 mm)
Yes, they look very lively and unpleasant to the eye.
They are white, and have three set of legs at the front, and no on the back.
I should probably say, that I am re-using hives and frames from last year. My bees perished over the cold winter, and I got new packages in spring/April of 2014. Prior to installing new bees this season, I cleaned up well hives and frames but did not torch out any equipment.
I do not believe this is normal. Hive does not emit unpleasant odor, and to that matter it actually smells sweet, like honey.
So, not sure if I have a decease and/or some insects managed to get inside.
I did see worms only in one of the hives.
Any tips are welcome.
Regards,
George
SHB............
Thanks -- appreciate the pointer.
Some of those cells looks damaged. Especially top left from the top left bee. Maybe last years damage? Being a rookie my guess on that damage is that it may be wax moth damage. SHB's larva may do the same thing. It just looked like it was burrowed.
SHB it is :(
Looks like SHB's to me also.
JoeD
Is the hive weak or queenless? Small hive beetles will destory a weak hive.
I just put bees in a new box with drawn out foundation today from an infested hive.
I dumped the small hive beetle larva in the drive way and let the birds have a field day on them.
I shook all the bees off on the ground and they went back to where the hive used to be.
I had setup a new hive with new comb.
I also put sugar syrup feeder on top.
Thursday I will have new queens ready to move so I'll install a queen cell and it should emerge Sunday.
But yep the picture shore looks like a small hive beetle larva.
you can just clean all the larva out, making sure to clean the bottom boards/etc, and as capt does, do it away from the hive, then put down beetle traps and keep a eye on the situation. some areas have much heavier SHB problems than others, but it isn't a situation you can leave alone. Bees do manage the beetles themselves if they are small in #, but there is no cause to ever leave any in a hive. Also, lay down some plastic or put your hives on a cement slab, as the SHB also makes nests in the soil, especially sandy soil, and spread some diatomaceous earth around (hydrophobic not hydrophilic) ), you can get it at pool places/etc. Always clean your bottom boards a few times/year too. debris and crap the bees leave offers places for beetles to hide and larva to grow.
http://youtu.be/h_KDPp8H6PU (http://youtu.be/h_KDPp8H6PU)
How strong is this hive? How many frames of bees? How many unused frames in the hive? Condense it to a nuc if weak and bees are not covering the frames. Frames without brood freeze to kill larvae and shb eggs.