[Sundance]

Down to 28 colonies........ Still very happy with the season. Started with 30 frames of brood in the spring.

I lost 4 colonies to wet and cold. We had very strong winds and rain/snow and the feeder pails blew off and water got into the cluster. Cold and damp apparently do not mix with bees.

I could see no other reasons for the dead outs. Sad but understandable.

If I come through the winter with 20 I will be tickled to death.

 

[Sundance]

It has gotten down to 0 F here already. Overall the fall has been fairly nice. Just some very nasty shots of weather.

As to the frames with stores....... I inspected them for any signs of a cause of death other than wet/cold. After I was comfortable I placed the frames of stores into colonies with less stores.

My bees fly at 40 F (and a bit less). They are NWC and Minnesota Hygenic.

If the frames have pollen, all the better.

If they have some brood..... Make sure no AFB. If no AFB feed them back. The bees will clear out the dead.