What’s this... is it pollen?

[Etton]

Any ideas on this very fine mound of dark material on the varroa board. I don’t recognise it as normal pollen. No strong smell, little taste and very fine like pollen?

 

[Etton]

and if it’s brood comb how come so much in a pile?

 

[elainemary]

Looks like brood cappings, amount depends on how long the board was in for.

 

[Etton]

In for a week, now thinking it could be a mouse, but no mouse droppings. Suppose will have to wait until can do a hive inspection. Bees very active so if was a mouse hopefully they will scare it off.

 

[Swn58]

No strong smell, little taste

Mouse droppings have a very strong taste, considering they are so diminutive........

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Mouse droppings have a very strong taste, considering they are so diminutive........

depends how long you chew them for.

 

[thorn]

Mouse droppings have a very strong taste, considering they are so diminutive........

I hesitate to ask....

 

[tonyofarr]

It looks like the bees have been clearing out old brood frames that had some mouldy pollen, although I have only seen this when the combs are on the outside of the overwintered colony.

 

[gmonag]

I had a similar pile in November in one of my hives.

https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/threads/inspection-tray-debris.48923/post-736534
I haven't opened the hive up yet to try and see what was going on.

 

[The Poot]

I have seen the same on a couple of colonies since the Autumn, with mouse guards on. I just think the bees had a good old muck out.
Its a bit alarming to see though.

 

[Swarm]

Remove the board and you have one less thing to worry about.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Could it be that the cappings/older wax are dry and they have been blown into a pile do you use vasiline?

 

[Etton]

I had a similar pile in November in one of my hives.

Thanks for the link. Interesting, exactly the same pile as mine on the varroa board, I’m now inclined to think it’s the bees breaking down old comb. Hopefully I can report back my findings following my first inspection .

 

[Etton]

Could it be that the cappings/older wax are dry and they have been blown into a pile do you use vasiline?

Yep, good point as I don’t use Vaseline and the boards are quite smooth as recently repainted, so it could be all the old cappings blown into a mound.

 

[LeaBees]

Mouse droppings have a very strong taste, considering they are so diminutive........

does everyone put everything that they find in and around a hive in their mouth?.?
asking as a very new initiate to the bee arts..

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

does everyone put everything that they find in and around a hive in their mouth?.?
asking as a very new initiate to the bee arts..

certainly - can't call yourself a beekeeper if you don't

 

[LeaBees]

certainly - can't call yourself a beekeeper if you don't

I have a big step to take!

 

[ericbeaumont]

Could it be pollen mites?

 

[BeeWitch]

Have you tried investigating using a good magnifying glass or low power microscope?

I tend to opt for that before the taste test...

 

[Finman]

Bees have natural habit to renew combs, if combs are too old or mold have ruined the cells during winter. Then they draw new cells instead.. . I bet this.

Bees do not waste pollen stores that way..

You may open the hive, lift the frames andf
look, from where that stuff comes. Seeing the answer it should not be difficult.