[ramdino]

I had a sad sight when I went to my bee yard that had 5 hives down from 6 this summer. 2 of my hives had absconded and been totally robbed. One is totally infested with moths. The other may have some salvageable comb. I have not been in them all summer. Both had been full of honey with 2 supers each in addition to the double medium brood chambers. One thing that may have played a factor and you tell me if it could is that the weeds had grown up and blocked the entrance. Although one of the surviving hives was also blocked and it was still viable. Could the weeds have been a factor. Both were really strong hives at the start of summer but I have been gone or working so much that I have not looked after them as I should. Your thoughts?
Are their tax breaks in NC or federal for loss or even for any expenses for bees as live stock?

 

[shinbone]

Sorry for your bad luck.

Unfortunately, "I have not been in them all summer" is the reason why the hives died.

Happens to me all the time when I don't regularly check my hives - A hive goes queenless and I don't catch it, then the hive weakens because no new bees are being made, then the robbers figure out the hive is vulnerable and clean it out, and then, finally, the wax moths move in and party.

JMHO

 

[Bees of SC]

are the hives on the ground? if they are get them up. if the entry of your house was blocked how would you feel, would you stay-clear the doorway. work or out of town:s. Horrible for you, what about the girls. and you want a tax break:no:

 

[Texas Bee Wrangler]

I agree with both answers. Just for some info for a cheap stand for the hives is a wooden pallet up on some concrete building blocks and a hive in each corner with entrances facing opposite directions. If you choose to do this do it at night so when they come out the next morning they will be able to see where they need to return. Not that recommend it but you could do a selective and careful spraying of a herbicide under them also.

good luck