On Tue, 19 Mar 1996, Vince Coppola wrote:
 
> On Tue, 19 Mar 1996, David Eyre wrote:
>
> > I don't know if they could use it as a protien source. I did notice last
> > year that one hive had the bottom board covered in millet seed, very shiny
>
>         I've often seen seeds of all sorts on the bottom board. Iv'e always
> assumed they were brought in by mammals. Last year I examined alot of
> sticky boards for varroa counting. Not only did I find seeds but also
> hair and droppings I thought were from mice or shrews. These boards were
> were in during May, June, July, and part of Aug. Each bord was in for
> about 10 days.
>>   b                                                              >
 Hi , I read an article form Steve Taber once about the things that the
bees would bring back to the hive instead of pollen. Most of it was very
poor proten. Some times they try to feed it to the larva with bad
results. I think its a good idea to watch for what they are brining in to
the hive. I feed pollen in the early spring to some hives , but I do like
to see them bringing in there own fresh pollen. I was checking a bottem
board yesterday and found hair plus some small seeds ,  but no mites.
 Roy