Lost a hive - Questions

[ccwonka]

 :'( :'(
Have our 2nd 70+ degree day in a row here, went to check my two hives (both were flying last warm spell).  One was completely dead.  The other was very angry at a stray cat that kept scratching the front of the hive then swatting at bees, I think just playing, but sheeez, what a game.

QUESTIONS -
1.  There was ZERO food left in the hive.  75% of the bees in the hive had their heads buried in comb.  Can I assume that these bees died from starvation?  There seem to be little flecks on the bees, but I think it's just dry wax and pollen, I kept up a good powdered sugar regimen for mites.

2.  If these bees did die from starvation, is it OK for me to recycle the comb they have drawn for other hives?  Is it ok to use the Hive Bodies and the like as is?  Should I wash them with bleach or something?  I hate to trash even the good drawn comb, much less have to add chemicals to the hive components themselves.

Any insight and/or opinions are appreciated.  I have two nucs coming early spring, was hoping to have 4 hives this year, but three will be just fine - I'm just glad I kept one alive my first year (they have a jar of syrup right now, but I doubt they need it, they seem to be foraging just fine on their own!!!)

[iddee]

The only reason you wouldn't want to use it is Foulbrood. Foulbrood doesn't kill a hive in the winter, only during brood rearing time. Go ahead and use your drawn comb and boxes as they are. The bees will clean them up.

[NWIN Beekeeper]

Is there any chance that your hive might have had a MOUSE inside and that is why your cat had an interest?

The flakes of comb will be an indicator that mouse was chewing the pollen stores scratching off the wax.

The mouse could cause a drop in population that would crash a hive (especially if anywhere near the cluster).

If this was the case, I'd wash any frames that might have mouse urine on them, sometimes the bees don't like to reuse mouse pee'd frames. Bleach works as does a couple of days of fresh air and sunlight. The same stands true for the bottom board.

A mouse could have came after the colony starved, or been the cause by unsettling them in cold weather.

[JP]

When the queens start laying again you have an increase in numbers that require more feed, active bees need to feed. Those hives with little honey reserves coming out of winter may starve unless you provide them with supplemental feed. Sounds like this was the case with your bees.

You could freeze those drawn frames and have them ready for other hives, the bees know what to do with them.


...JP

[Understudy]

:'( :'(
Have our 2nd 70+ degree day in a row here, went to check my two hives (both were flying last warm spell).  One was completely dead.  The other was very angry at a stray cat that kept scratching the front of the hive then swatting at bees, I think just playing, but sheeez, what a game.

QUESTIONS -
1.  There was ZERO food left in the hive.  75% of the bees in the hive had their heads buried in comb.  Can I assume that these bees died from starvation?  There seem to be little flecks on the bees, but I think it's just dry wax and pollen, I kept up a good powdered sugar regimen for mites.

Bees head buried in comb means starvation.

2.  If these bees did die from starvation, is it OK for me to recycle the comb they have drawn for other hives?  Is it ok to use the Hive Bodies and the like as is?  Should I wash them with bleach or something?  I hate to trash even the good drawn comb, much less have to add chemicals to the hive components themselves.

You can reuse them. Do not clean them out. The bees will do that.

Any insight and/or opinions are appreciated.  I have two nucs coming early spring, was hoping to have 4 hives this year, but three will be just fine - I'm just glad I kept one alive my first year (they have a jar of syrup right now, but I doubt they need it, they seem to be foraging just fine on their own!!!)

The bees did not have enough stores to make it through the winter. Don't be afraid to leave an extra box on for bees if it has honey in the frames.

Sincerely,
Brendhan