lost three hives

[trapperbob]

One was a top bar hive and the other two were langs. Strange thing was there was all kinds of honey in all the hives they just seemed to get stuck at some point in the hive and did not move and starved where they stayed put. Strange how they will do that some times. I know it's not the first time it's happened and more than likely won't be the last but it still bums me out when it happens. On the pluse side all the others look amazing. I put some sugar candy in them just to be safe and some pollen patties so I can build them up good and strong. not that they really appear to need it I'll split them and replace the dead outs and get some new hives to boot.

[Ollie]

Could it be something else than starvation?
What was the mite count going in to the fall?
Could it have been condensation, was there any insulation on the top of the hive? Top entrance blocked or none there?

[trapperbob]

Nope definitly starved. Heads in the comb trying to find food. just seems they got to far to one side and could not get back. Had enough ventilation so no condensation. We had some really cold weather here and I am positive it put them in a position to starve. It got cold enough to form 18 inches of ice on the lakes around here. They just refused to move. I've seen it before. 

[CBEE]

Lost one hive this year the same way myself :roll: