one hive lost and questions

[Rachel]

 :(  I can't believe it!  I have had trouble with this hive from the beginning....the hive swarmed three weeks after I got it, I had to requeen....now they are ALL gone!  Nothing left!  I know it is my fault, I went in last week and saw wax months, so I knew it was weak.  Now what do I do with the equipment?  There are wax month larvae in the frames.  I left them outside, then it rained.  I haven't gone back to see the mess yet.  I am so sad.
My other hive seems to be doing ok.  I was told to bring them down to ONE deep.  Is this right?  Right now they are two deeps and a shallow.  Let me know what you think and thanks on advance for the input.
Rachel

Edited to add:  I think I may have really screwed up.  I've been reading old posts....When I checked this weak hive last week, I added a top feeder.  Do you think they were robbed?  There was NO honey left in the hive either.  I'm just sick about this!

[mtman1849]

I am very sorry about you loss.   If a hive was that week I  would have reduced the entrance, even if not feeding to make sure they don't get wax moths in them, they can be devastating in a very short time.  I would probably reduced them to a single deep or put them in a nuc depending on how week they were.  I really am sorry for you loss.

[1of6]

I think that wintering on one deep in Pennsylvania is probably difficult, especially if we're heading into the 'tough winter' that it looks like we're into...If I have a new colony that's not filled the entire top box out, I try to get them to draw enough of it out so they have something to move up into.  I fear that the days of wintering honeybees in the higher mountains of Pennsylvania in one deep may be gone, unless you're keeping Russians or another strain that is known for wintering on less.  I still winter my Russians in two deeps as well.

As for your equipment that's WML infested, if the combs aren't too damaged and they aren't 'webby', you could consider freezing them to kill the WML.   It can be cleaned up by other bees if it's not too bad.  If the 'other' colony needs drawn comb, that may be something for you to fall back on if you can get them cleaned up.

If the 'other' colony was in my yard in my area, I think I'd find myself trying to feed them and get the second box packed with honey rather than taking it off.  Wintering on one deep in PA may not be a great plan.  They need to have reserves above them to move up into during the winter.  Winterizing a 2-deep configuration should not include taking a deep of stores off.  Also, reduce the entrance to prevent robbing if there are other bees still around. 

Good luck and let us know how you fare.

[Big John]

I had the same problem this year with one of my hives sorry about your loss. The equipment I have left I cleaned up the hive body and sterilized with a bleach solution, this equipment will not be used until spring, the wax was cleaned out of theses frames and the frames sterilized, I will replace the foundation with wax strips like in Mr. Bush's website to go foundation less and use all natural comb.

[Michael Bush]

Feeding a weak hive often sets off robbing.  But then a weak hive sets off robbing sometimes anyway.  A failed one is sure to.

[johnnybigfish]

Yep,....I lost a hive to moths recently and did the same as you...I just left the box open with the frames out figuring the birds and ants and lizards would eat the wax worms..I let it get rained on too. I havent moved it into my bee house yet.
your friend,
john

[reubenburwell]

I'm sorry for your loss. Don't let it deter you. Do lots of reading, consider joining your local association, and, of course, stay on the forum. You'll do better next year.

Persevere :)