I’m a second year beekeeper and currently have two hives. Both seemed to be doing well until about three weeks ago. I lost the queen in one of the hives, but I think I discovered it quickly. I got a replacement queen, introduced her, and she was accepted by the hive. All seemed well for about 2 1/2 weeks, then when I went to do an inspection of the hive I noticed big black ants attacking the hive, taking eggs, larvae and even bees. My hive is set on cinder blocks, so I temporarily moved the hive, spread some diotomaceous earth under the cider blocks and put the hive back in place. All was well for about a day. The ants were gone and the bees seemed to be returning to normal. Today I went out to check on the hive and it appears that my second hive is robbing the troubled hive. Looked like a lot of fighting going on at the entrance and front of the hive.
Is this hive doomed? If the second hive robs the weaker hive, is there any way I can salvage it or make a split from the strong hive to put in there?
Is this hive doomed? If the second hive robs the weaker hive, is there any way I can salvage it or make a split from the strong hive to put in there?