Dead Hive

**Jetjockey** · 02-09-2012, 12:28 PM

Winter killed dead hive.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7296556...in/photostream

dr.buzz · 02-09-2012, 01:45 PM

Looks like a lot of chewed wax on them, what does that tell you?

**Jetjockey** · 02-09-2012, 01:48 PM

It tells me that I had two die offs with a small cluster clinging on in an unusually mild winter that was finally done in when the weather turned cold.

**ken rice** · 02-09-2012, 03:19 PM

When did you do your last mite test?

**Jetjockey** · 02-09-2012, 03:23 PM

I had treated with hopguard in Sept, so mite levels were fairly low going into winter.

**WWW** · 02-09-2012, 03:54 PM

Jet, I was curious about whether you wrapped the hive or insulated it in any way, and what was your coldest winter temperatures so far. I am asking so as to compare with my hive, I am doing a hive study on the subject.....Thanks....Bill

**HONEYDEW** · 02-11-2012, 01:33 AM

Originally Posted by Jetjockey

Winter killed dead hive.

I am not sure if this is just your title or if this is your diagnosis, but bees rarely die from the cold if they are healthy, well fed, well queened, fairly mite free, dry, and large enough in mass to sustain life. Best of luck in this new year..

**Seymore** · 02-11-2012, 01:42 AM

Originally Posted by HONEYDEW

...but bees rarely die from the cold if they are healthy, well fed, well queened, fairly mite free, dry, and large enough in mass to sustain life.

I had to chuckle at this...Sorry. My distorted sense of humor. Uh... Yeah! But easier said than done - fer sure!

**HONEYDEW** · 02-12-2012, 12:18 AM

Originally Posted by Seymore

I had to chuckle at this...

No prob. my point is that "my bees died from the cold" is so common of an assumption by newer keeps, and unfortunately it is usually keeper error....

**Seymore** · 02-12-2012, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by HONEYDEW

No prob. my point is that "my bees died from the cold" is so common of an assumption by newer keeps, and unfortunately it is usually keeper error....

Yeah, I know, I know. Been there, done that. I lost a hive because it starved. Crushed me. Yes, I later found out it died because they weren't well fed (aka fault of beek!). But I just find that sorta the same as saying "My dad died of a heart attack." Well, no, he died because he had a diet full of red meat and rich foods (or whatever).

I think all I'm saying REALLY is as a newbie we do run around clueless for a good while. (I still do!) Especially if we are without a local mentor. (I don't have one. Don't have a bee club that has that attitude...YET. But I've been working on that for 3 years now and it's changing slightly!) So I DO get a but flustered at some comments cuz I know what they are really saying (and yours was really innocent enough). But more helpful to us new/er beeks (especially when we are already downtrodden) are directed questions like ken and Michael asked. That can be helpful and guide us to a direction that may turn a lightbulb on and actually help us become a better beekeeper.

Not picking on you, Honeydew. As I said, your comment was reasonable. I've been "beat up" with much worse on here. I'm just saying...

**megank** · 02-12-2012, 08:24 PM

I see a hive where the cluster (small from your own admission) got separated from the honey and starved. There are lots of dead bees with bits of wax on top which tells me the remainingbees desperately were trying find carbohydrates either from honey or the wax itself and finally died off completely. The bees for the most part look clean and dry which tells me that moisture or nosema for that matter wasn't an issue.

Bring the box inside and get the hive ready for new bees. Now that you have a year under your belt, hopefully you'll have better luck.