If I remember correctly, you are in Delhi? The Catskill Mtn Beekeepers will be meeting the 13th of April in Acra @ 7:00 pm. If you wanted, you could bring a frame to have it looked at.
The topic will be winter losses and causes.
The website for the club is:
www.catskillbees.org
There is a state inspector in the area, I don't have his name, but someone in the club should.
The winter losses in the area from what I have seen in my own yards and talking with someothers were fairly high.
No breaks in the weather from December thru beginning of March, very cold right thru.
I lost 10 hives, my worst winter yet(50%). The last one a little over a week ago during the single digits we had again.
As for the young in the cells, what stage are they at? larva, pupa, capped, developed and partially emerged? Does it look like the queen started laying again?
When was the last time you were able to check them and knew they were alive?
It is not uncommon, to have hives cold starve after they have started to raise brood agian in the late winter / early spring. We have had some very cold weather until very recently.
The cluster will pull tight to keep the brood warm, and then starve with honey with in inches or less.
To get to Acra Community Center, Rte 23 East to the Acra Manor, make a left on to Rte 31, left at stop sign, 1/2 mile on left, set back off the road.
Another option:
Dick Johnson's Beginner Course on Beekeeping. This course is sponsored by the Cornell Cooperative Extension. $50 tuition for the four evenings. Call Dick for more information (518-734-4629)
April 7, 14, 21, 28
6:30-8:30
Agro-Forestry Center, Acra, NY
[This message has been edited by MountainCamp (edited March 30, 2004).]