Dead Hives in December

[newbee101]

I have a friend who has 18 hives, lose 3 in the past cold snap. Very few bees and they still had honey.
Mine were flying today in the 45 degree weather. 8 hives and 2 nucs still going stong.
 

[pdmattox]

Nice setup. It looks like they have good sun in winter and shaded in the summer. :)

[Kris^]

It was in the 50s here today.  The bees were pretty busy flying around as I wrapped them up in black paper.  And they were still bringing in orange pollen!!!

-- Kris

[Cindi]

Agree, you do have a very nice set up.  Why are only some hives wrapped in tar paper?  Curious. 
I don't know, I wonder if the colonies that died were too small to keep the box warm enough or couldn't break cluster to get to the honey?  Great day. Cindi.

[Finsky]

Dead hives in autumn --- tracheal mites or heavy contamination of varroa?

[newbee101]

Cindi, just have not got around to wrapping the rest yet , and yes very few bees in the dead hives.
Finsky, yes we think it was varroa.

[Cindi]

In our climate we don't wrap the hives.  We are pretty mild, it saves alot of work.  Great day. Cindi

[Shaggy]

You do have a very nice set up. I do miss the cold weather back east.  My bees are always out each day in DEC. I will have to post some pic’s of my hives. You all will like one of them. Looks like a big old gateway box. I had the idea of a cow bee box and look cool. I will tell ya that the bees have no problem finding it. Thanks to all first post for me. I will have to let the rest of the club in AZ know about this. Lots of good info.  azbaca.org

See ya.
SH

:lol:

[Cindi]

SH, bring on the hive pictures, you have caught my interest and welcome to the forums.  I have been a member for only a couple of months and enjoy being a participant.  You will love all the wonderful people that give their advice freely and happily.  It is a great place to spend some nice comfy time.  Have a great day.  Cindi

[Kris^]

I do miss the cold weather back east. 

It's been in the 60s here recently.    :(   My bees have been busy bringing in yellow and orange pollen.

-- Kris

[thegolfpsycho]

In the 60's?  All you people living in the bannana belt are making me jealous.  It's in the teens here, the wind is howling, and there is a heavy snow warning in effect.  I have to see if I can move this couch closer to the fire without burning the house down!!

[Cindi]

My sister lived in Salt Lake City, moving here last year.  she could tell you about the cold Utah weather.  But she and her family loved it.  They were south of SLC and closer to the mountains.  Man was it cold.  Great day. Cindi