Feeding a dead hive?

[lilprincess]

I was hopeful with the queen cells 6 weeks ago, but alas, no queen. :(
Just a bunch of angry workers. Not even any drones. I was feeding them sugar water and pollen Patty because I knew they were hurting. Should I continue to feed them? Or just let them die? I feel bad for them.

I'm planning on ordering another box for the spring. At least they will have a head start with all the great comb laid already.

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[iddee]

That is one of the many reasons we recommend 2 or more hives. If you have another hive, combine them with it and then split them in the spring. If you don't, then you should order 2 for next year, not just one.

[Dallasbeek]

Take steps to protect all that nice comb or it will be garbage when you receive more bees.  Best to freeze the frames of comb (wrapped in platic) until a few days before your new bees arrive.

[lilprincess]

Take steps to protect all that nice comb or it will be garbage when you receive more bees.  Best to freeze the frames of comb (wrapped in platic) until a few days before your new bees arrive.

Thanks. I don't have enough room to freeze them. But I do have a very cool basement. Do you think that will do?

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[lilprincess]

That is one of the many reasons we recommend 2 or more hives. If you have another hive, combine them with it and then split them in the spring. If you don't, then you should order 2 for next year, not just one.

I'm considering this a direct order. Time to get my husband build another hive. :)

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[GSF]

Are you a member of a local bee club? you may could find a queen there or you could order one, depends on how many frames of bees you have left.

[iddee]

She says they were hurting for food, so a new queen wouldn't have enough stores to survive a Mass. winter. Not "exactly" a direct order, just what is needed for success.      

[tjc1]

I would note that you don't have to keep the frames frozen. I freeze frames for 24 hours 3-4 at a time (I only have my small upper freezer in the fridge) in plastic trash bags to kill beetles and moth eggs , then take them out and store them in lots of 10 in compactor trash bags (very heavy plastic so they don't tear), in a cool place where animals won't get to them (my basement). Even full frames of honey kept perfectly well until I could put them back into use with a new hive.

[Jim134]

Warm colors apiary of South Deerfield MA. Will be taking orders December 1st for 2017 package bees.

http://www.warmcolorsapiary.com/Bees.asp

lilprincess
There are only 3 beekeeping clubs in the 413. I hope you the best and all your adventures of beekeeping.
http://www.massbee.org/links/


      BEE HAPPY Jim 134 

[Acebird]

I was hopeful with the queen cells 6 weeks ago, but alas, no queen. :(
Just a bunch of angry workers. Not even any drones. I was feeding them sugar water and pollen Patty because I knew they were hurting.

When they are starving they don't look angry they look lethargic.  You can buy however many hives you want but if you don't know what went wrong with the hive you had the new ones could all die too.
At this time of the year I would have no problem at all leaving the equipment empty of bees in the apiary.  It won't be long before they get their freeze.  I think freezing the frames is important if you were going to harvest the honey.  You could also do it after you bottle it.
If you get another warm day as a last ditch effort to save the bees you could shake the bees out on a white sheet to look for the queen.  If not found then give them a frame of honey and move the hive and close it up.  Those that can find another hive will and those that can't will perish.

[lilprincess]

Thanks. I'm contacting some beekeeping friends to see of they want what I have left. Until then, I'm ordering new bees for the spring and making another hive set up. 

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[sc-bee]

Take steps to protect all that nice comb or it will be garbage when you receive more bees.  Best to freeze the frames of comb (wrapped in platic) until a few days before your new bees arrive.

Thanks. I don't have enough room to freeze them. But I do have a very cool basement. Do you think that will do?

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So, stored outside in a Massachusetts winter won't freeze them? 

[Jim134]

lilprincess
Here is a song you may like about the 413. Hope you enjoy it.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vqttFWSPtMY

       BEE HAPPY Jim 134