[heidiellen]

Found these "pellets" among the usual dead bees near my rooftop hive...cause?

. They look like something chewed up dead bees and regurgitated out pellets full of broken exoskeleton? Can anyone tell me what's going on here? I've seen jays fly in to eat dead bees, but they don't stick around. I just got my start this past April with a nuc. I am based in the SF bay area. Thanks for any insights you may have!

 

[Bdfarmer555]

Re: Found these "pellets" among the usual dead bees near my rooftop hive...cause?

Skunk

 

[Happy Home]

Re: Found these "pellets" among the usual dead bees near my rooftop hive...cause?

Skunk

On a rooftop hive?

I have no idea who is responsible for this carnage.

 

[Tim KS]

Re: Found these "pellets" among the usual dead bees near my rooftop hive...cause?

I have no idea what kind of bee eaters you have lurking on your roof.

 

[Michael Bush]

Re: Found these "pellets" among the usual dead bees near my rooftop hive...cause?

They look too small for a skunk. Skunks leave clumps of many bees. That looks more like one chewed up bee. A shrew maybe.

 

[heidiellen]

Re: Found these "pellets" among the usual dead bees near my rooftop hive...cause?

Yes, very small, no bigger than a regular dead bee...
My beekeeping mentor thinks it could be the work of a spider. There are plenty of spiders and webs around my hive.
Just curious, thanks for the replies!