Hello all:

I live in Fallbrook, CA USA and I have 5 colonies for pollinating avocados. The colonies are physically separated by a few hundred feet each.
I was checking the hives today and observed that some of them had small flying insects crawling/flying on the outside of the hive. They remind me of "midges" that are typically seen in coastal areas of the county. Maybe they're fruit flies.

When I removed the outer and inner covers, I saw nothing unusual on any but one hive. When I opened it, hundreds of the flies flew out and I observed quite an unusual amount of condensation on the underside of inner cover. I don't know if the condensation and fly infestation are related in any way. Nor do I know if the flies are in any way harming the bees.

I haven't read about flying insect infestations, but I'm new at this game.

Can anyone explain what might be happening?

Thanks

Bill

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