I have received a couple of calls recently from beekeepers who have lost colonies.
Although it's disappointing/sad/annoying/distressing, it's good to know why; here are a few tips/comments for new beekeepers to consider when doing a hive "autopsy".
Did you treat for varroa last summer/autumn and was it effective?
Was there enough food? Even if there was, dead bees with their heads in the cells indicates starvation - this could be isolation starvation if the bees could not get to the food inside the hive as it was too far away.
Are bees 'chopped up' on the floor? This could be late wasps.
Are there dead bees in cells - some might be partially out? This could indicate varroa damage. If the bees are not decomposed, see if you can remove them and check for deformed wings. Same for dead bees on the floor.
Are there open queencells or just one? This could indicate late supercedure and the colony had no viable queen so she would lay drone eggs. The bees don't really want them in winter but might rear a few. The drone cells would be in the comb where workers would usually be.
Is there sealed brood in the hive and very few bees? (So not enough to cover them). The colony could be on a windy spot, there could be varroa that resulted in many lost bees or was the colony small - say from a late queen replacement and the hive too big for them to keep warm? Bees may die on the comb over the brood if they get cold.
The above should cover most issues; Any other suggestions or comments?
Although it's disappointing/sad/annoying/distressing, it's good to know why; here are a few tips/comments for new beekeepers to consider when doing a hive "autopsy".
Did you treat for varroa last summer/autumn and was it effective?
Was there enough food? Even if there was, dead bees with their heads in the cells indicates starvation - this could be isolation starvation if the bees could not get to the food inside the hive as it was too far away.
Are bees 'chopped up' on the floor? This could be late wasps.
Are there dead bees in cells - some might be partially out? This could indicate varroa damage. If the bees are not decomposed, see if you can remove them and check for deformed wings. Same for dead bees on the floor.
Are there open queencells or just one? This could indicate late supercedure and the colony had no viable queen so she would lay drone eggs. The bees don't really want them in winter but might rear a few. The drone cells would be in the comb where workers would usually be.
Is there sealed brood in the hive and very few bees? (So not enough to cover them). The colony could be on a windy spot, there could be varroa that resulted in many lost bees or was the colony small - say from a late queen replacement and the hive too big for them to keep warm? Bees may die on the comb over the brood if they get cold.
The above should cover most issues; Any other suggestions or comments?
May your bees read the same books as you do.
