I have 4 newly installed hives (from packages on friday apr. 11) After last nights cold snap (23 deg) I go out this evening after work and find one of the hives had about a dozen or so dead bees on the landing board. I figured no big deal, they just didn't get in on time when the weather hit. I checked the other hives and noticed quite a few dead bees blocking the entrances. I still wasn't too concerned. then I checked all the hive top feeders and on 3 of the hives there were a few dead bees clinging to the chicken wire and on the fourth a huge cluster up in the hive top feeder(they were alive) I did not want to take off the feeders and I didn't, but i did blow down into the 3 that had no bees in the feeder. I did hear a roar down below. I am afraid, though, that I lost alot of bees. I took the popsicle shims out now, because I am afraid I may have over ventilated with this cold snap. any thoughts on this? I know there is nothing I can do accept hope for the best. I guess I am hoping to get posts that say this is normal or doesn't sound as bad as I think. Just wondering why 1 new hive has a large cluster in the feeder and the other 3 new ones do not. and if there is a suspected population loss from the cold due to them being brand new bees from a warmer climate (georgia)
thank you for any thoughts on this.
todd
thank you for any thoughts on this.
todd