I am inclined to equate some beekeepers attitude to beetles the same as a
cattleman, who finding a dead cow in a paddock, blames the cloud of
blowflies for the death.


I find that thought to be a bit off the mark,   Just because you have never
been attacked by a shark,  doesn't mean sharks don't attack.  It means you
were not at the right place at the right time.


I personally tend to listen closely especially to those who are willing to
share their experiences,  and assume they have a different experience.
Sometimes we ask questions to be sure.  

Some even go to the trouble to run experiments and take pictures.   Darn few
bother to write.  I appreciate others observations and comments instead of
doubting them.

Last week Carrol Hoffman was here and we set up some trial in heavily
infested hives.  Her protocol was to re-inspect the next day.  Keep in mind
we checked each hive for queen right, overall strength and brood levels.
Carefully recorded.   Returning the next day one of the hives crashed from
our intrusion.  24 hours from a "heavy infested,  but okay"   to slimed and
bees hanging on the outside of the box.   Documented and photographed by
Carrol (not an unusual situation) Hives were all double deep 10 frame boxes
with at least 16 frames of bees.   


In the case of AUS  you guys have a few tools in your box we don't.
Fiprinol traps,  different soils  lots of things are different,  Gene gets
fire ants (not sure that's a good trade)  Many places have Africanized (mean
bees do better)  and some are just too cold.

In your case,  if you don't think they are reproducing in the hive,  where
do you suspect they come from?  Beetle life seems to be about 60 days
average  so if they were not reproducing,  successfully then they would be
gone shortly wouldn't they?? (yes I have paint marked a few)   but never
found a dead one as the bees seem to carry them out to quickly.






Charles

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