> Hi,
>
> I did a quick check of my hives this weekend and noticed white
> objects resembling corn kernals at the entrance of one hive.
>
> Any ideas of what these might be?  If so, what strategy do I need to
> know about before I go and diassemble the hive for closer
> inspection?
 
Chalkbrood mummies, Pollen cells emptied in one piece and ejected, or
granulated honey chunks.
 
Chalkbrood is hard and flat,  longer then wide, and tending to taper
a bit.  The mummies are dried and hardened larvae.
 
The others should be fairly obvious.  There could be other answers --
(Maybe it is corn that a mouse took in).
 
Use a magnifier or low power microscope to examine the pieces and the
answer should be obvious.
 
Regards
 
Allen
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                                         VE6CFK
RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta  Canada T0M 1Y0
Internet:[log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask]
Honey. Bees, & Art <http://www.internode.net/~allend/>