Bees dead or absconded...theories, please?

AliciaH · June 17, 2014, 05:19:19 PM

I have a beekeeping acquaintance that sent these pictures to me yesterday (6/16). They built a beautiful cedar top bar hive out of a log they already had. They populated the hive with a package this spring after the log was moved to a farm. They contacted me yesterday and said the bees in the hive were either dead or gone, which I took to mean absconded.

This had to have happened recently as it looks like the queen was laying right up to the point they left (at least, I think that's what I'm seeing in some of the cells). Looks like a massive die off in the brood area. Some of the wax is discolored, though I'm not sure what that might mean, if anything. I have not come across this situation before, so was hoping for input from you all.

As a side note, there are actually two hives at this location. The other hive appears to be fine.

rookie2531 · June 17, 2014, 07:33:18 PM

Looks beautiful, was the cover a big side of the same log? Is the wood still wet or was it dried out, maybe if wet something in the wood? Did they use chainsaw to cut on it and maybe bar oil ruined it?

Kathyp · June 17, 2014, 08:20:30 PM

isn't cedar an insect repellent?

it's really hard to tell from those pics, but that looks suspiciously like chalk brood. i have also had them tear out all brood in my observation hive for no apparent reason, and then dwindle and die even though they had what appeared to be a good queen.

AllenF · June 17, 2014, 08:26:29 PM

Cedar wood makes beautiful hives. On the missing bees, I blame aliens. It is the one theory that can not be disproven.

AliciaH · June 17, 2014, 11:14:35 PM

Allen: It seems very fitting that a person with "galactic bee" status would blame this on aliens! ;)

rookie: It is beautiful, isn't it! I haven't seen the hive with the cover on, but will ask. If we're lucky, tho, the family will chime in themselves as I managed to talk them into registering here!

kathyp: That was one of my thoughts, we did just go through a temperature drop after several weeks of warmer weather. The part that baffles me though is that the areas of capped brood showing more of the chewing seems to be darker. This is a new hive of 2014, so the wax should all be the lighter color.

Was wondering if anyone had experienced that kind of discoloration in new wax? Or if the oils in the cedar may have caused it? The farmer did spray something but was careful to make sure it was safe for bees. Since the other hive is fine, I don't want to point the finger that direction, but I've never witnessed a hive crash due to chemicals, so thought those of you who had might be able to say "yay" or "nay" to that possibility, as well.

I guess what I keep coming back to is that whatever they found in the brood was enough to abandon the hive for? Would they do that if a case of chalkbrood was serious enough?

Sweet Sting · June 18, 2014, 01:24:33 AM

Cedar was dry when cut . Chain saw was used ,but have 3 other hives booming .one in the other end of same log .Thx

NotactJack · June 18, 2014, 02:36:50 AM

Did it rain? I had a hive abort a frame of brood that looked just like that. We had a massive thunderstorm and the hive toppled over. It got very wet. 2 inches in about 25 minutes. I combined it with a queen less cutout and it's doing fine now. I was worried about mites or some other disease.

GSF · June 18, 2014, 06:18:44 AM

It's my understanding if insecticide was to blame, there be a bunch of dead bees in and around the hive.

jayj200 · June 18, 2014, 08:59:21 AM

that's what happened at our hive 3 inches deep in front

Kathyp · June 18, 2014, 11:54:11 AM

Quotekathyp: That was one of my thoughts, we did just go through a temperature drop after several weeks of warmer weather. The part that baffles me though is that the areas of capped brood showing more of the chewing seems to be darker.

they darken it up pretty quickly tromping over it. the top is the oldest part of the comb. + if they die in it, they might have something to do with color.

that wax that holds the comb has to toughen up quickly or it won't hold comb full of stuff. the color, to me, is not part of the problem....or even a symptom unless there are dead in there.

jayj200 · June 18, 2014, 01:14:39 PM

So put some LGO and queen lure inside. see what develops.
yes get some new ones back
I am sure it wasn't insecticide
you could put some eggs and brood with nurse bees and they start home building
let us know

AliciaH · June 18, 2014, 01:49:44 PM

Hey, Everyone, meet Sweet Sting, the owner of the hive in question. Sweet Sting...please add your location to your profile so in the future when you ask questions, people look at where you are. As they say, location, location, location.... :) And welcome!

Sweet Sting, I will also leave it to you to answer NotactJack's question about the cover and whether or not it got wet in the hive.

Thank you to everyone who is responding to this thread. I have never had a hive abscond without obvious interference from either a beekeeper or a pest, so wasn't sure how to help. As always, this is my go-to place. Thanks, again!

Sweet Sting · June 19, 2014, 05:46:18 AM

a answer for NoTactJack There was moisture in side but no water laying in bottom Like a pond Just wood on inside of log hive was damp . We have had rain & cool weather here but this log has a second hive on the other end & it is doing fine .Am considering a split .