possible check-mite contamination

[AstroBee]

The state of Virginia provides free inspections and treatments for small hive beetle infested hives. I’ve been working with them for over a year to help with my SHB problem. Earlier this spring they provided the gardstar ground drench, but did not use check-mite (check-mite stapled to cardboard or 1/4'” plywood) because I had honey suppers on my hives. About a month ago I noticed that the beetle population was getting larger than normal so I told the bee inspector to treat my hives again. My strongest hive is still collecting honey, so I assumed that the inspector would respect that and not use the check-mite. The treatment was done in my absence and it took me about six day to discover that the bee inspector did indeed use check-mite in the hive with honey suppers present.

Do you think that my fall honey crop has been contaminated? The check-mite was installed between two 1/4” plywood 4”x4” squares (like a check-mite sandwich) on only the bottom board. I suspect that no bees were directly exposed to the chemical, but beetles may have been. I have been trying to contact the inspector, but have not been able to reach her.

Any comments greatly appreciated.

[Axtmann]

Check mite contains coumaphos and should be used ONLY AFTER all the honey is harvest.
It contaminated wax also and you shouldn’t use your combs longer than 4 – 5 years.

Your bee inspector should go to school again because he doesnÂ’t know what he is doing.

[WineMan]

guess i wouldnt really want it inside the hive if i still had supers on but from what i have seen on those setups for trapping beetles it would be darn difficult for the bees to even reach the strip to track it anywhere.

[odfrank]

When we used to have "bee inspectors" here, they knew nothing and would tear a large booming hive apart frame by frame to look for foulbrood in the middle of the honey flow, having to lift five or six full supers to do so. They merely did the inspections to get their "fee" from the state funds. Never let a "bee inspector" work on your hives. They prossibly know much less about bees than you.

[AstroBee]

Thanks to all that commented.

Wineman:

Yes, I agree that the SHB trap should be small enough that no bees could get direct access to the chemical. Basically, the gap between the plywood squares is approximately the thickness of the Check-Mite strip, which is smaller than a bee can fit through. Plus the sandwich approach should have prevented any residuals on the bottom board. I guess the only way the chemicals could have been spread is by the beetles contacting it then moving through the hive. The strips were there for six days so I tend to believe that chances for contamination are very minimal, but I'm still concerned.

I'm very upset at the inspector for putting the Check-mite in my hive with supers on. I feel the action was very reckless and without cause. I would have gladly pulled the supers if given the chance.