Leif wonders how prevelent SHB is in New York.

I live near Albany and have been seeing SHB for the past 5 years or so.
Initially, I saw it in a yard I was using to trap pollen.  Two of perhaps 20
hives with traps had the drawers full of SHB.  I put them them (and the
pollen) in a plastic bag, froze it, and then burned the contents.  They
presisted for about 2 weeks.  I never saw even one larvae or adult in the
hives!

Since that first year I have not seen larvae in the pollen traps.

It is relatively common to see SHB on the inner covers.  They run like heck,
with bees fast on their trail.

Last year I forgot a nuc box with drawn comb and it sat untended until
mid-September.  I opened it and expected to see wax moth.  Not a wax moth
larvae was in sight, but it was 'full' of SHB larvae...what a mess!
Intellectually, I knew I could save the frames and the box but emotions took
over and I burned the lot!  TAKE THAT, YOU JERKS!

Here in Eastern NY I'd say that SHB are more or less as common as wax
moths...and are more or less the same problem.  Strong hives are not
troubled and they both primarily succeed because of beekeeper mistakes.

Lloyd

-- 
Lloyd Spear
Owner Ross Rounds, Inc.
Manufacture of equipment for round comb honey sections,
Sundance Pollen Traps, and producer of Sundance custom labels.
Contact your dealer or www.RossRounds.com

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