Had a quick look at the 4 hives today in this balmy 45F degree weather. Two doing cleansing flights, hives 1 and 3 looked inactive.
Both inactives had mountain camp still on top. The one hive was really surprising (or not so much for the more seasoned ones here) as it was the most booming (mite crash?). I didn't go deep, but the booming hive had a cluster on the top (2 deep hives) looking like they wanted to go out the feeder rim hole that has a stopper in it ( I never took it out). The bottom didn't look clogged with bees as if they couldn't get out. Looked like both hives still had honey frames on top, as well (hard to really see with all the mountain camp on top). I just find the one hive with the cluster dying while moving to the feeder rim hole somewhat odd. I know I saw sunlight through the plastic stopper, so maybe they were just moving to the light?
Booming hive was treated early spring with api-life var, and with apistan late july through early sept. No mite counts conducted (I know, I know...).
Both inactives had mountain camp still on top. The one hive was really surprising (or not so much for the more seasoned ones here) as it was the most booming (mite crash?). I didn't go deep, but the booming hive had a cluster on the top (2 deep hives) looking like they wanted to go out the feeder rim hole that has a stopper in it ( I never took it out). The bottom didn't look clogged with bees as if they couldn't get out. Looked like both hives still had honey frames on top, as well (hard to really see with all the mountain camp on top). I just find the one hive with the cluster dying while moving to the feeder rim hole somewhat odd. I know I saw sunlight through the plastic stopper, so maybe they were just moving to the light?
Booming hive was treated early spring with api-life var, and with apistan late july through early sept. No mite counts conducted (I know, I know...).