I had a hive that didn't make it through the winter, I noticed the other hives robbing it out in February. I found a tiny cluster when I opened it, it was obvious there weren't enough bees to make it through.
So, the other hives wont touch two frames of honey, I even scraped them open and laid them out and the only thing on them is ants. I'm a little worried about those frames. There is no sign of foul brood or any thing else in the collapsed hive. Why would the other bees ignore these frames?
Should I burn the frames? the entire 2 brood boxes? Like I said no sign of issues that are obvious. This hive was moved last fall about 40 miles, I'm thinking something happened in the move to the queen.
Your honey flow is on. The bees are after the nectar.
yup. they'll skip the robbing if there is nectar to be had. save them for later. stick them in the freezer. make your wife happy and wrap them!!!
Quote from: kathyp on April 09, 2012, 11:33:54 PM
make your wife happy and wrap them!!!
Found that out the hard way this winter. :-D
Boy she was mad.
James
Bee smart and get your own freezer!
Good, thanks guys, I will do that. Thats the first time I've ever seen them turn down free honey.
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Heavy varroa load does so in Autumn that a hives may vanish totally or 80% or what ever. No sign what has happened.