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I decided to render it down and give them fresh foundation - and use mouse-tight storage next winter...

Oh well, too late! The wax is already in a black placcy bag, awaiting the big melt. I didn't realise the bees would be able to fill in holes that big. Next time...

Thanks! Little blighters - ruined some lovely drawn comb... Never mind, I'll render it down and turn it into something.

Intrigued. I started prepping for the new season today: checked through the equipment, including half a dozen drawn supers from last year, all nice and tightly wrapped. Opened up the wrapping and found they all had big holes in the middle. It's not wax moth - there's no sign of that mess they...

Also checked for fondant - warm-ish day at 11-12 degrees saw them flying a bit. Plenty remaining so no need for action. I'm also delighted with my new poly crown board as I can see what's going on without disturbing them. Sent from my Mi A2 Lite using Tapatalk

I fed them in September / October - and the feeders were Miller feeders. Two of those full is not enough? Sent from my Mi A2 Lite using Tapatalk

Thank you for your thoughts, O beekeepers. It's much appreciated. I've learnt about my own ignorance as much as anything.

On the top bars.

There was some evidence of nosema on a couple of frames but not a lot.

These colonies were all bought this year from Payne, who I was told treat them. I plan to treat using OA this month.

This week, I went to check on an apiary I'm looking after on behalf of a company, and found three dead hives. It had been almost a month since my last visit. One I knew about - the blue mouldy bees in the images (one of the frame, the other a close-up), which I need to clear out (please ignore...

Hmm, OK, I'll treat asap. Sent from my Mi A2 Lite using Tapatalk

With one hive dropping zero varroa in a week and the other just three over the same period, I'm wondering whether to treat at all. I normally sublimate OA so I don't have to decide right now but it's where I am going at the moment.

Well done, sir!

"was you ever bit by a dead bee?" Props to anyone who can name the film that quote comes from.

Invert is what I've fed them so far. Sent from my Mi A2 Lite using Tapatalk

I shall take what you say on board - and not automatically top up the feeder until I can see the nadirs being emptied.

Fair point, thanks. I'm concerned not to repeat what happened last winter when I lost a colony to starvation. Would they not just take what they need, though?

Nadired TWO supers (one was in the normal position, the other above the crown board, and both have stores in them, capped and uncapped), added a full-frame feeder and filled it with invert syrup. That should give them something to do.

The happy coda to this sad tale is that I've been offered colonies by two members of my local association. Feeling choked...