I suspected some heavy losses last month and since the weather has been nice the last week or so I went in to take a peek.
All dead, about 1/2 dead on the bottom board in a pile, and the rest seemingly frozen in time on the frames. Some were in the combs just sticking their abdomens out.
:oops: As much as I really want to help bees I can't help but realize that I've killed every colony and swarm I've touched. :oops:
So the plan is to order two 3# packages and 2 queens from some other beekeeps in the next few days - I've cleaned out all the dead bees from my hives and I was wondering if I could reuse those frames of drawn comb, capped/uncapped honey?
What do you guys think?
I hope to bring in some more swarms this year, but last year I didn't get one phone call..hopefully this year will be different.
Thanks for your help!
*EDIT* also does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for a place to buy 3# pacakges / queens from? Im in Apollo PA close to Pittsburgh. Thanks!
Don't feel to bad SShark, it happens. As long as there is no sign of disease, reuse it. I lost two hives this year myself and I plan on reusing everything. The new girls will clean everything up. What kind of stores did they have going into winter?
Great - now I just have to go find someone near Pittsburgh or that ships to my area postoffice to buy some more bees from =p
Anyone have any suggestions?
You can get PA bees here...
http://www.bjornapiaries.com/ (http://www.bjornapiaries.com/)