# Pests and Diseases **URL:** https://forum.honeyflow.com/c/pests-and-diseases/12.md [Latest](https://forum.honeyflow.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forum.honeyflow.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forum.honeyflow.com/tags.md) --- ## [About the Pests and Diseases category](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/about-the-pests-and-diseases-category/19)
**Author:** [@Jake](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Jake)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2023, 9:23am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/about-the-pests-and-diseases-category/19 "2023-04-04T09:23:27Z")
Understanding and controlling pests and diseases. --- ## [Heterorhabditis indica (Hi) Nematodes](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/heterorhabditis-indica-hi-nematodes/40611)
**Author:** [@User13](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/User13)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2026, 8:59pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/heterorhabditis-indica-hi-nematodes/40611 "2026-08-29T20:59:55Z")
I have been reading about ways to mitigate some of the SHB threat by adding nematodes around the hives in Spring to knock down their population before they become full adults. In Kentucky, we do tend to have a lot of rai… --- ## [Vaporising oxalic acid - are bottom screen and tray sealed enough?](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/vaporising-oxalic-acid-are-bottom-screen-and-tray-sealed-enough/40510)
**Author:** [@BudBees](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/BudBees)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2026, 5:33pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/vaporising-oxalic-acid-are-bottom-screen-and-tray-sealed-enough/40510 "2026-06-28T17:33:21Z")
Hi everyone, I’m about to start vaporising for varroa with oxalic acid in my flow hive 2. Is the metal bottom mesh screen and plastic bottom tray enough to seal the bottom part of the hive before I start? Is it best t… --- ## [Central Florida Bear Issues](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/central-florida-bear-issues/40489)
**Author:** [@Zane\_Greer](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Zane_Greer)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2026, 2:15pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/central-florida-bear-issues/40489 "2026-06-19T14:15:14Z")
Im thinking of starting beekeeping, but I live in a highly populated bear area. We have an hoa so sadly no electric fences. Does anyone have knowledge about out-apiaries or other solutions --- ## [Opossum eating my Bees as a midnight snack?!](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/opossum-eating-my-bees-as-a-midnight-snack/14503)
**Author:** [@nbstl68](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/nbstl68)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2026, 11:49am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/opossum-eating-my-bees-as-a-midnight-snack/14503 "2026-06-02T11:49:20Z")
So I’ve read elsewhere skunks love to eat live bees which seems crazy but apparently opossums, or at least the one currently residing in my yard seem to enjoy eating live bees too! I had no idea. I recently set up a be… --- ## [Is this nosema? :(](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/is-this-nosema/40360)
**Author:** [@carolyn](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/carolyn)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2026, 6:48pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/is-this-nosema/40360 "2026-05-11T18:48:14Z")
Hello Folks, would love some help. Originally I thought this was all just normal propolis. But then I wondered if it could indeed be Nosema. My bees died over the winter, they seemed to starve - but my understanding is s… --- ## [What's wrong with these bees?](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/whats-wrong-with-these-bees/40210)
**Author:** [@thomasalbert](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/thomasalbert)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2026, 1:39pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/whats-wrong-with-these-bees/40210 "2026-03-19T13:39:43Z")
What’s wrong with these bees? I am in Northern Rivers district of New South Wales Australia. Varroa mite arrived in the area last year. Both of my hives died out. 3 days ago a swarm appeared (it is autumn here!) a… --- ## [Dead & dying bees at entrance plus unusual hive debris](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/dead-dying-bees-at-entrance-plus-unusual-hive-debris/40211)
**Author:** [@Tamsin](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Tamsin)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2026, 6:41am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/dead-dying-bees-at-entrance-plus-unusual-hive-debris/40211 "2026-03-12T06:41:59Z")
Background - second year beekeeper, Withcott, SE QLD, 3 hives (plus an end-stage nuc of laying workers that I am using to improve my observational skills). First varroa positive wash - 3/2/26 - one hive - 3 mites. Brood… --- ## [Do ant colonies persist in the hive if you stop access from the ground?](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/do-ant-colonies-persist-in-the-hive-if-you-stop-access-from-the-ground/40185)
**Author:** [@AvB](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/AvB)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2026, 2:35am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/do-ant-colonies-persist-in-the-hive-if-you-stop-access-from-the-ground/40185 "2026-03-11T02:35:58Z")
Hi, my first post. We have had a flow hive for about 5 years and it’s been good. Last winter it may have swarmed - the bee numbers dropped a lot, but it’s built up very well again. In the past it’s had a few ants but not… --- ## [Are these mites?](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/are-these-mites/40183)
**Author:** [@Taylor](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Taylor)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2026, 12:03pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/are-these-mites/40183 "2026-03-04T12:03:33Z")
I am currently treating Varroa with Formic Pro. I’m 10 days in and it’s going well. However, I have noticed 000’s of consistently formed ‘fibers’ on the bottom board. I’m wondering if they are some sort of mite. I’ve b… --- ## [Veroa SEQ Not sure where to go from here](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/veroa-seq-not-sure-where-to-go-from-here/40170)
**Author:** [@Safa](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Safa)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2026, 8:21am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/veroa-seq-not-sure-where-to-go-from-here/40170 "2026-02-26T08:21:47Z")
Hi SEQ, 2nd year beekeeper Found veroa and treated the hive with Bayvarol strips ,on the 27th of February it will be six weeks since we treated Before we treated we harvested 2 frames of honey and left the rest for th… --- ## [New research on Colony Collapse Disorder](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/new-research-on-colony-collapse-disorder/40124)
**Author:** [@Dawn\_SD](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dawn_SD)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2026, 7:10pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/new-research-on-colony-collapse-disorder/40124 "2026-02-07T19:10:23Z")
Interesting new spin on CCD and miticides. Looks like a good argument for oxalic acid etc: --- ## [Potential larvae in honey](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/potential-larvae-in-honey/40076)
**Author:** [@eweyfam](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/eweyfam)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2026, 3:41pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/potential-larvae-in-honey/40076 "2026-01-18T15:41:44Z")
Hi guys, I have just gone to harvest honey and 1 frame was full of this. Can anyone suggest what might be the cause and if the honey is still edible if strained. Thanks so much. --- ## [Advice needed please](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/advice-needed-please/40025)
**Author:** [@Moby\_Dick](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Moby_Dick)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2025, 9:27pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/advice-needed-please/40025 "2025-12-28T21:27:20Z")
Unfortunately I have just lost my full hive of bees so the hive is empty. Yesterday I harvested the honey from the super. Unfortunately I can’t get a nuc for 2 weeks to repopulate the hive. Please could someone advise w… --- ## [SHB/Maggot help](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/shb-maggot-help/40007)
**Author:** [@Katec](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Katec)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 10:17pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/shb-maggot-help/40007 "2025-12-26T22:17:13Z")
Morning, Can someone please help me know whats happening with SHB and now looks like SHB maggots in my bottom try. I hope its not a slime out, last inspectipn i didnt see any maggots on frames, its only been in bottom … --- ## [What is this in the tray?](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/what-is-this-in-the-tray/40020)
**Author:** [@Maie](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Maie)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2025, 8:45am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/what-is-this-in-the-tray/40020 "2025-12-26T08:45:41Z")
Hi All, Located in Tasmania. We’ve just come home from a week away and I checked the baseboard first thing. Does anyone have an idea of what are these grub looking casings in the tray could be? There’s a bit of paper t… --- ## [CO₂ monitoring method](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/co-monitoring-method/39967)
**Author:** [@Horndog](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Horndog)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2025, 7:19am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/co-monitoring-method/39967 "2025-11-30T07:19:42Z")
I watched the video here https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=624489460708356 and replicated the test at home, disappointed I bought an off the shelf kit now after the surface area thing was explained! I did notice the bees… --- ## [Possible small hive beetle spotted](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/possible-small-hive-beetle-spotted/39840)
**Author:** [@LisaB84](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/LisaB84)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2025, 9:22am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/possible-small-hive-beetle-spotted/39840 "2025-10-19T09:22:56Z")
Hi guys, on hive inspection today I spotted what looked like a small hive beetle in the roof cavity - not in actual hive but looked like it would fit through queen excluder if it wanted access. I tried to squish it and m… --- ## [Is this a moth problem?](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/is-this-a-moth-problem/39740)
**Author:** [@admorehart](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/admorehart)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2025, 8:32am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/is-this-a-moth-problem/39740 "2025-10-02T08:32:16Z")
Can anyone help identify what’s going on here? Our poor bees have been fighting to stay healthy this summer and we noticed these white elongated pieces. From other images I’ve looked at, I don’t feel like these are wax m… --- ## [Cockroach control](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/cockroach-control/9239)
**Author:** [@Macbee](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Macbee)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2024, 2:13am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/cockroach-control/9239 "2024-12-27T02:13:09Z")
I am a new beekeeper. My hives are about 50 metres from the house. Annually I have a cockroach and bug spray done in and around the house as they have in the past been an issue. With bees now on my property should I cea… --- ## [Odd acting hive, Can't figure out what may (or may not) be wrong](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/odd-acting-hive-cant-figure-out-what-may-or-may-not-be-wrong/39234)
**Author:** [@JakeRunyan](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/JakeRunyan)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/odd-acting-hive-cant-figure-out-what-may-or-may-not-be-wrong/39234 "2025-06-05T18:20:14Z")
I have 4 hives, and one of the 4 is acting strange. It’s a newly installed hive (April), and the brood patterns in mulit stage…which I personaly haven’t seen before. Below is a video. Thanks for your help! … --- ## [What is this debris in the bottom tray?](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/what-is-this-debris-in-the-bottom-tray/39208)
**Author:** [@LittleCreeksideFarm](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/LittleCreeksideFarm)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2025, 11:47am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/what-is-this-debris-in-the-bottom-tray/39208 "2025-06-02T11:47:38Z")
Hi! We are brand new to beekeeping! This is our bottom tray and it is filled with oil, and I think a little water, or sugar water, may have leaked in there, as well. We bought some local bees and the very next day aft… --- ## [Agitated Bees Falling in front of hive](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/agitated-bees-falling-in-front-of-hive/33389)
**Author:** [@JohnM](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/JohnM)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2022, 10:24am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/agitated-bees-falling-in-front-of-hive/33389 "2022-07-27T10:24:33Z")
20 to 50 bees a day walk out of the hive and fall in front of it. There legs are waving about and mostly die with their tongue’s out. This has been happening for about a month. Upon inspection there were no obvious probl… --- ## [Chalkbrood in nuc - first time beekeeping](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/chalkbrood-in-nuc-first-time-beekeeping/38810)
**Author:** [@JessMcK](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/JessMcK)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2025, 2:13am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/chalkbrood-in-nuc-first-time-beekeeping/38810 "2025-04-26T02:13:34Z")
Hey folks! Day 1 of beekeeping: YAY! Bees! Day 1.5 of beekeeping: OH NO! Disease! On Wednesday my dad and I purchased a 5-frame nuc from Brisbane QLD and transported it home to Ballina NSW in our 10-frame brood box. B… --- ## [Bottom Tray Advice](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/bottom-tray-advice/38574)
**Author:** [@Samlenn](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Samlenn)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2025, 2:01am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/bottom-tray-advice/38574 "2025-04-19T02:01:53Z")
I think this black/grey stuff is chalkbrood. Is this correct? Should I be worried? Your thoughts and advice on the best practises to deal with this would be appreciated. (Photos attached) It has been evident on every in… --- ## [Sudden severe colony loss in US 2025](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/sudden-severe-colony-loss-in-us-2025/38642)
**Author:** [@Eva](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Eva)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2025, 12:35pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/sudden-severe-colony-loss-in-us-2025/38642 "2025-03-21T12:35:23Z")
Good morning all. I heard from a beek buddy of mine that 70% of her colonies died out this year, and learned that this is a widespread occurrence similar to the one 20 years ago. It was labeled Colony Collapse Disorder, … --- ## [Green frame/ foundation](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/green-frame-foundation/38773)
**Author:** [@Inaworld](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Inaworld)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2025, 4:49pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/green-frame-foundation/38773 "2025-04-13T16:49:43Z")
Anyone with any experience using the green drone frame/foundation for a more natural way to control varroa mites? Thanks --- ## [What is this in my flow?](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/what-is-this-in-my-flow/38767)
**Author:** [@Peace](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Peace)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2025, 2:51am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/what-is-this-in-my-flow/38767 "2025-04-12T02:51:43Z")
Found three of these at the front of the flow looks like a beetle Any ideas !\[IMG\_1684|375x500\](upload://4jMxGvWluh5RHcaxGsxwP6lwrYu.jpe\](upload://1slhR8CSkp6HhkB5FliviSaq42p.jpeg) --- ## [Uncapped pupae - what's going on?](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/uncapped-pupae-whats-going-on/38495)
**Author:** [@Mikal](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Mikal)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2025, 10:22pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/uncapped-pupae-whats-going-on/38495 "2025-03-21T22:22:51Z")
Hey knowledge base, I requeened my hive 2 weeks ago after it was hopelessly Queenless. New queen has been doing amazing, lots of eggs, larvae and capped brood. I opened up the hive for an inspection today and it was mos… --- ## [Flies Trying To Enter Hive](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flies-trying-to-enter-hive/38621)
**Author:** [@Cactus](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Cactus)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2025, 10:48pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/flies-trying-to-enter-hive/38621 "2025-03-17T22:48:17Z")
I was watching the entrance to my hive the other day and noticed these flies trying to enter. The bees were chasing them away but the flies were very persistent. I pulled the pest tray and there were about ten of these s… [Next page](https://forum.honeyflow.com/c/pests-and-diseases/12.md?page=1)