Abandoned hive

[Mistura Fina]

Although I've been trying to get a bee yard established for a couple of years, I still feel like a beginner. Here's my problem. After losing the only hive I had, I started two new ones last spring. One seems to be thriving. The other one, about three feet away from the thriving one, was abandoned, I think. It did well; even warrenting a honey super some months ago. Today I tore it down to the bottom super and all the foundations combs were empty, except for some dead larva and black honey comb. The caps were off, but there was just a little wax crumbs on the bottom board and only a few dead bees. The foundation they had built is dark brown. Any information or insight for me?

[asprince]

It sounds like the hive became weak for some reason and was robbed by the stronger hive. The bees that were left from the robbed hive probably joined the stronger hive.

Steve

[AllenF]

It is hard to say at this point why you lost the hive.  Numbers were down for some reason, disease or a failed queen or just low numbers?  At least you have some drawn comb ready for new bees in the spring.  Try again.

[rdy-b]

around here it is very important -that around october the entrances need to be reduced -reason being yellow
jackets and robing from rouge hives-once its queenless and there is no queen pheromone from the hive it becomes open season-
something to think about-RDY-B

[edward]

you could have lost you re queen , for a short time you will get an increase in honey , no brod to feed and attend , then the hive will die out because of decreasing numbers, leaving it to die or be an easy target for robbing.

mvh edward :-P

[Acebird]

One seems to be thriving.

Well look at the bright side, now you got an empty box ready for the swarms in the Spring from the healthy hive.