Empty Hive - Need Advice (Update - NOT empty,very small)

[greenbtree]

I did a visual check on our two hives today and one is empty.  I just cracked the top to make sure and saw no bees but found black ants (Knew that was NOT a good sign).  My son and I got these hives from a neglected bee yard and there was a lot of robbing going on in the yard when we got them.  There was a lot of activity around the hive including bees bringing in pollen just two weeks ago.  I hadn't done a inspection since moving them because I didn't want to disturb them too soon and I was waiting for a warm day with little wind.  

I am going to pull the hive apart and inspect now, what I want to know is what to look for to tell if the hive absconded or wether it might not have been a viable hive at the start.  If a lot of bees were robbing a hive would they stick around for awhile?  Or if a hive coming out of winter lost their queen would they leave?

Any help appreciated...  :'(

UPDATE:  Pulled hive apart found about 2 frames of bees.  They were not flying AT ALL even though our other hive was (at a low level, it is about 55 degrees) Found the queen right off (first time I got to see her)  They have about 1/2 frame honey left and some pollen laid in.  Only found about 15 larva, not grouped well.   Pulled everything except the one deep they were in.  I know I need to requeen,  do I just requeen, or do I go for a package to boost numbers?  I know a source of Russian queens and packages only an hour away, but I have doubts about the aggression levels I hear about.  I do have a big property backed up to a wildlife area, I could move them to the back if they turned nasty.Thanks!

Jan

[greenbtree]

Oh, I should mention my son and I got these hives on March 20th, and we live in Eastern Iowa.

[John Schwartz]

UPDATE:  Pulled hive apart found about 2 frames of bees.  They were not flying AT ALL even though our other hive was (at a low level, it is about 55 degrees) Found the queen right off (first time I got to see her)  They have about 1/2 frame honey left and some pollen laid in.  Only found about 15 larva, not grouped well.   Pulled everything except the one deep they were in.  I know I need to requeen,  do I just requeen, or do I go for a package to boost numbers?  I know a source of Russian queens and packages only an hour away, but I have doubts about the aggression levels I hear about.  I do have a big property backed up to a wildlife area, I could move them to the back if they turned nasty.Thanks!
Jan

Hard to say without knowing more about the history of that hive. 2 frames of bees isn't a lot although some larvae helps. Overall, it's not likely a hive in this condition survives but you may consider giving them some bees/brood from the other hive and look at requeening when you have a chance.

[G3farms]

to boost the numbers of the small hive, try swapping both hives. Now the foragers of the strong hive will be entering into the small one. You should be having some flow starting by now which will help things out.

G3

[buzzbee]

How far away from your current location were these hives? The bees may have returned back to their home location.

[greenbtree]

The former location is a good hour away by highway - I don't think they would be going that far!  I am thinking get a new queen and swap the hives if need be?  Most bee suppliers are sold out of the package bees already I am finding - I may have no choice but to get just a queen.  Our other hive has really good numbers.

Jan