Lost beehive again

[mystang89]

• I've been trying to keep bees for 3 years now and this year turned out the same as the other 2 years, I lost the hive again. The first two years I used the langstroth hive but this year I used a deep horizontal. I opened it up this year and the bees we're all Dead but it didn't look like there were as many as there should be. Almost like they packed up and left. The Combs they made we're weird to say the least and the last two frames on the end weren't even drawn out. No honey was left in the comes that were there either.
  I need some help here. What do you all think is the problem? If you need any other info let me know. Thanks.

 

[Anna j]

We lost one of two and potentially our second one as well. We haven’t looked in them yet because I thought it was too cold here in middle TN. Today we noticed zero activity although we saw them out and about last week. Sorry I can’t help you with your honey comb issue. That does look weird and this is only my third year as well. Went to our local bee association meeting today and it was so worthwhile. No matter how much you read one of those meetings can be invaluable. Heaps, I’m talking heaps of information. Sorry I’m not more help, but you’re not alone.

 

[babsbag]

Dead bees in the hive are usually from starving or getting too cold. Mites are also a possibility but I don't usually see them dead in the hive. No honey being in the hive would also indicate starvation. I am not familiar with that kind of hive so I can't really give much advice but in my hives I see comb like that whenever there is extra room, like if I leave a frame out. I lost my hive this winter too, I think probably from condensation in the hive.

 

[Anna j]

Both hives gone. Again! We got into them today, 1st hive that was from the swarm had comb drawn out but no honey, it was all clean. Very little dead brood and no dead bees. Second hive, that was strong all last year, and we think we saw just before the last rains...also gone. The queen and her cluster were still there huddled but all the honey was gone. There weren’t hardly any mites in the bottom but there was plenty of wax and dead bees down there, we didn’t know you should feed just prior to spring time. I’ve attached pics of what I thought might help. Any one have thoughts on keeping their bees alive throughout our generally mild TN winters?

 

[HomeOnTheRange]

Hi @Anna j, we have really mild winters as well so we check them every couple of months (quick health checks). We had to feed a fair amount this last winter or we would have lost a good number of hives. At the end of Feb we try to get to the hives and do one more check before spring and add feed (even if they still have honey stored) and pollen paddies to get the hive up to "fighting" strength for the coming year.

 

[mystang89]

Sorry you lost both of them. I know it's tough. Unfortunately I have no words of wisdom as I'm still figuring out mine. If you figure anything else with yours though please let me know. Better too much info than to little.

 

[Anna j]

Thanks guys, anyone know why they died or thoughts? Also, @HomeOnTheRange, do you always feed pollen in the spring? Do you use an inside feeder in the winter or a regular outside feeder?