I read with interest the article in the latest ABJ concerning the
experiment with small hive beetles. In short, the experiment failed due to
the failure of the beetles to increase after being placed in a number of
hives. If my memory serves me well no trace of the beetles was  found when
the hives were inspected later. The writer postulated as to several
theories as to why the experiment failed, one of which was due to the
presence of fire ants in the area of the hives and the fact that they
possibly destroyed the beetle pupae when they entered the ground under the
hives.
Maybe we have found a use for fire ants at last! Here in east Texas we have
plenty to supply you with, maybe I will go into the package ant business!
(Don't panic, only kidding)
Seriously, we do have a lot of ants. They generally do not bother a strong
hive and if I do see them entering a hive I know that it is probably
weakend and needs attention. I have also seen them enter a hive top feeder
to get sugar water and not bother the bees feeding next to them. Some
beekeepers treat for ants but I think they do a service by carring away
dead bees and debris from under the hives. We don't have the numbers of
ticks and chiggers as in decades past and fire ants are given credit for
this ( as also the disappearance of large numbers of bobwhite quail which
nest on the ground and whose eggs are vulnerable). I would tend to believe
the hive beetle pupae would be easy game for the ants.
Bob Young
Lindale, TX