WORMS

[Greg Peck]

Thanks

[reinbeau]

We had these same worms on the white boards we took out of the hives yesterday( to open them up for ventilation).  These hives are strong, I see no signs of wax moths in them, yet the larvae were all over the boards.  Do the moths lay in anticipation of perhaps getting a foothold?   I wouldn't think I should spray an active hive with Certan, especially since I see no evidence of moths in the combs.  Thoughts?

[reinbeau]

Here's a picture of the ugly things.....are they wax moth larvae?  Should we be worried?  These hives are strong, I thought they could only get a foothold in weak or empty hives?

[Mici]

cleaning behaviour is also animportant factor. a hive with a strong one, will rarelly see them, as for the "lazy" ones..

[reinbeau]

Thanx, Mici, but....that is a wax worm larvae?  Do we have anything to worry about?  It was only on the board, there are no webs whatsoever in the hive....... :?

[Mici]

when i think about it..what else can it be?
worry about it,ha, tricky one. i have a "messy" hive, and there are always a few worms on the bottom when i open them, but so far, bees seem to keep an good eye for comb. i think that as long as you keep your bees in a "tight" box-so they can tak care of all the boxes, it should be just fine. how NOT to do it, was posted a few days ago, from our friend from downunder.

[reinbeau]

I was actually assured on another forum (cough, cough) that the girls were doing their job, the larvae had been evicted from the hive.  I gave them a nice spot in the hot sun, I don't think they're going to be a problem now  :evil:

[Cindi]

Ann nice picture, but man is that thing ugly.  What is the hook thing sticking out of the front of the worm?  I am pretty sure they are the moth worm larvae.  Eeeks.

I found a worm kind of that looked like that in my garden soil, only it was very smooth looking.  I took a picture of it (but alas, you know my problem here about timeout, no pictures yet).  My husband wiped out my computer, but I am still having the problem with posting and pictures.  Maybe one day get it figured out.  Have a wonderful day, great life.  Cindi

[reinbeau]

I think that's just a piece of debris under the little creep  :-D

[Bee1]

Hello All -- I'd like to reopen this thread.  I've found some worms on the tray of the bottom board of my hive that this look very much like this.  Yuck! 

Last time I was in the hive itself I didn't see anything out of the ordinary, . just some smaller worms on the bottom board tray.   I haven't had time to go in the hive but have been monitoring the bottom board tray.  The worms seem to start off encased in a sticky thready web like cocoon and are much smaller…  and thinner…  but seem to grow to look like this. 

Was it a consensus? Are these wax moth larvae? 

Can the bugs get up into the hive through the varrao mite screen & slatted rack?

Will the bees go to the effort of coming to the back of the hive and onto the bottom board to kill them? 

Reinbeau -- I believe this was your picture.  How did this work out for you?

Thanks all,
Bee1

Here's a picture of the ugly things.....are they wax moth larvae?  Should we be worried?  These hives are strong, I thought they could only get a foothold in weak or empty hives?

[reinbeau]

Yep, wax moth larvae.

[Bee1]

to be honest I don't know whether I have a bug problem or not.  I did see those larve on the bottom board but  I took off the solid bottom board and haven't seen anything out of the ordinary inside the hive...

Bee1

[sadvic]

The coloney can die out so fast, not nescessary absconded, and the moths will move in and eat everything that isn't robbed by other coloneys.In a matter of just a few weeks. Not saying what might have killed the bees in the first place. Bees don't need to be in a lot of shade. Wax moths like shady areas.

[Erik T]

Since you are in Georgia, do you have a SHB infestation?  I known I do and they also produce worms.  Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do for those other than have strong colonies and trap the beetles.