Empty Hive

Started by JDale, November 13, 2010, 05:56:29 PM

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JDale

November 13, 2010, 05:56:29 PM
I am new to bees, a lot to learn. I checked on my hives today and found one hive empty, Both upper and lower supers full of honey, but no sign of bee'.they were sealing up their hive last week but they have disappeared, Any Idea why? Is it safe to salvage the honey? Any feed back would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Jdale
JDale

don2

#1
November 13, 2010, 06:57:33 PM
If the hive beetles haven't got to it, harvest all capped honey, "Quick".
Most likely absconded.don2 :)
Was any brood left?

Wouldn't hurt to have a test ran to see if it is contaminated or not.

JDale

#2
November 13, 2010, 07:45:22 PM
Don

No Brood, How do you have the Honey tested to see if it is contaminated? I tasted it, Not Dead Yet!
JDale

hardwood

#3
November 13, 2010, 09:02:08 PM
If the frames haven't been "slimed" by the beetles yet I wouldn't worry about the honey. You may want to freeze a few frames in case you need emergency feed later.

If ya'll fill your location in on your profiles it might help in answering questions. SHB are much more of a problem for southern beekeepers than up north and your emergency feed might be better in the spring than during winter.

Scott
"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag...We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

don2

#4
November 13, 2010, 11:18:33 PM
If there wasn't any dead bees on the ground in front of the hive, chances are it is not contaminated.

To be sure get your Agriculture/ Home Extension Agent send a sample off, at least 8 oz's.

If you prefer, and have the $$'s have a local lab test it. :)dno2

My profile is fixed so I am no longer hopelessly lost.

tecumseh

#5
November 14, 2010, 08:34:04 AM
hopelessly lost does seem to be a popular destination for beekeepers old and new??? 
I am 'the panther that passes in the night'... tecumseh.

AllenF

#6
November 14, 2010, 05:31:40 PM
Bees all disappeared without a trace?  Has there been any strange lights out there after dark?  Any strange circles or marks on the ground around the hive?   My bet is on the aliens.  They have been busy this fall.  Or the cell phone towers.

Bees could have died out for a number of reasons.   You just need to to test them.   Numbers could have gotten low due to mites and robbers could have killed the rest.   Was there any brood left in the hive?  I would freeze the frames for the spring if the other hives have enough stores, or if your other hives are light, let them rob it out.
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