Mailing list for the Person County Beekeepers Association, Roxboro, NC

[James Latimer <pipesnc AT live.com>]

Beekeepers,

I was checking my hives yesterday and noticed a frame with moldy pollen.  The cells have a look of blue cheese.  I have attached a photo.  Is this normal?  Will the bees take care of it?  Should I cut out the suspect pollen?

I have a feeling I know how it happened.  Fearing that it was not wise to do nothing during the past week of cold weather, I added the sticky boards to my 2 hives for extra insulation.  (May not have been wise, only had them on for the cold spell)  I have since removed them, but not before discovering this pollen in one hive and the other hive had water starting to collect on the sticky board.

Any informed answers if this is indeed mold, why it happened and what to do next would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jamie

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