My husband, Dave, and I, Judy, are in our second year as beekeepers.  Were
only gonna have 3 hives, tops, now have 11.  Started a local bee club and
are having great meetings.  Most of the members are new beekeepers and we
are trying to learn together.  Sometimes, however, no one seems to know a
good answer.  Maybe one of you more experienced beekeepers can help.
 
One member ordered three packages of Italian bees last spring.  Installed
them and all went well.  Approximately 4 weeks later he called and asked us
to come and look at his bees.  We went over and one hive had many workers
crawling on the ground in front of the hive.  When we picked one or two up,
there was no sting reflex.  As we had an extremely wet spring and this
beekeeper's bees were in the bottoms, near a creek, we suggested it may be
nosema.  Asked if he had treated with Fumidil, he stated no because an old
beekeeper told him you never have to treat new package bees.  Well, we said
we believe in safe rather than sorry, and since his bees were still
building up and drawing out foundation and he would not be getting a spring
honey flow anyway, maybe he should treat with Fumidil.  He decided to try
it.  Worked out well, and the bees recovered wonderfully.  Ended up being
his strongest hive.
 
Now to the current problem.  This same hive is now throwing out larvae.  He
 says they are varying ages of larvae.  He says it is still his strongest
hive but he is concerned because none of the other hives do this larvae
pitching.  This guy really is in touch with his bees, loves to take a
sleeping bag out and lay in front of the hives and watch them.  That is how
he spotted the larvae pitching.  Once he realized what they were doing, he
has been checking the ground and has found many larvae.  I asked about the
possibility of a high cleaning hive and maybe there was some mite damage or
disorder that they were cleaning.  He said he has checked brood and not
found many varroa but was going to treat soon.
 
We are just starting goldenrod and aster and just finishing with wild
cucumbers and wild sunflowers.
 
Appreciate any help and your giving of your time and knowledge.  Thanks.