What am I seeing undr my hive?

pnora4 · June 15, 2015, 06:47:25 PM

I have what looks like sugar crystals in a pile that seems to be growing larger as days go by. Is this bee poop being removed from the hive and out my screened bottom board or is it something else?

BeeMaster2 · June 15, 2015, 07:54:23 PM

Not sure without a picture BT it sounds like wax flakes. The bees make it on the undersides of their abdomin. It grows like finger nails but is very soft. If you catch a swarm that has been waiting for a few days for their new location, you can see white clumps hanging from the abdomin of the workers.
Jim

pnora4 · June 18, 2015, 02:15:17 PM

I finally uploaded a picture.

D Coates · June 18, 2015, 03:21:55 PM

Those are wax scales. Why so many are dropping before the bee picks it up and manipulates it into comb might be something to look into.

pnora4 · June 18, 2015, 03:54:52 PM

When you say it's something I should look into, what exactly should I be looking for?

D Coates · June 18, 2015, 05:49:35 PM

Are they drawing comb well or are they being disturbed in the process? Do they have a strong laying queen? My experience indicates getting disturbed repeatedly/frequently during flow or having a weak/no queen can cause them to build comb poorly and drop scales.

Blacksheep · June 21, 2015, 02:43:05 PM

It might be robbing going on tyey are uncappi ng the honey and stealing it???