> Thanks so much for all the suggestions and advice.  Luckily the
> inspector was able to pinpoint the cause, which actually had not been
> suggested here yet: small hive beetle.

You never said your location? I know quite a bit about SHB.  SHB is in my 
hives.

>  He said he
> often sees SHB in neglected or shaded hives, but has not seen levels
> like this in strong hives in 30 years.

I don't want to nit pic but SHB has only been in the country since 1998. I
observed SHB at Horace Bell Honey in Florida the same time Jeff Pettis did.

My opinion is SHB is not the cause of a hive demise but only a symptom
(similar to wax moth).

Opinions vary.

Sincerely,
Bob Harrison
51 years beekeeping
Missouri

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