chips of sawdust looking stuff

[bill]

I have a hive with one of the swarms that I caught in it on some frames that I rescued from a failed nuc,I have ten frames in the deep, at least a couple that have pollen and honey, I also have about three that are new foundation. when I inspected them yesterday I noticed a lot of brown looking sawdust like stuff in the bottom under the frames I thought it a bit strange but thought they must have been uncapping old brood cells and honey can you guys tell me what it is and is it normal?

[JP]

Bill, I'm new to beekeeping so I'm not sure if this is something from the bees you're experiencing, but it may be. Anyway, if no-one here can identify your problem I would suggest that you check the frames, assuming they are wooden ones, to see if there are small holes in them with fine powder exuding from the holes. Beetles could be your problem & were probably in the wood before it was made into frames. This is a possiblity, remote or not. JP

[Barny]

I think the bees are cleaning the old frames and dropping the trash on the bottom board.

[Joseph Clemens]

Ditto