Bees Dying

[Dimmsdale]

Merry Christmas to all!  New beek question here.  I've got a colony wintering in 2 deeps, with a reduced lower entrance(1 inch), solid bottom board and an upper entrance in the inner cover, some straw windbreaks.  They had pretty good stores going into fall/winter, but\ it has been unseasonable warm this year and I'm sure they have flown more than usual.  I've been noticing on average about 20 dead bees appearing every day on the landing board and gathering beneath the mouse guard.  Does this send off alarm bells to anybody?  I'm not sure if this is just the normal die off of summer bees or if this warrents going in for a quick peek and maybe throwing some additional sugar in.  If I can help it, I'd rather not open them up, but will if need be.  Am I stressing over nothing or do you think I should be concerned?

[Kathyp]

if it's warm enough for them to fly, it's warm enough for them to clean out the dead.  that's a good thing.  rather than open them, lift the back and see if the hive is still heavy.  if you have doubts about stores, you can always pop them open just long enough to dump some dry sugar on there. 

[Riggs]

I'm in the same shape here, does the sugar go on top of the inner cover, or do I try to put it on top of the frames? I only have one hive, so adding a frame or two of honey is not an option.

Thanks in advance.

[backyard warrior]

Riggs imo i would put the fondant on top of the inner cover hole you can put it on the frames directly but if you dont have a shim to open up the space between the super and innercover its hard to get the inner cover to lay flat so i usually put my fondant on top of the inner cover whole.  the bees if they have a large cluster have enuff heat to locate the fondant threw the inner cover hole   Chris

[backyard warrior]

I dont hesitate to open up my hive cover if i think they are short on stores why??? Its better to know if they need food and feed them then too leave them alone and find them dead in spring just my opinion.  Chris