Dead Hive, unknown cause images warning

[HkSwifts]

Hi, so I was out of the country for 2 weeks, and came back to find my weak hive overflowing with bees, and my strong hive completely dead. When I opened the hive i there were piles of bees at the bottom, and piles outside the hive. Alot of the bees were also suspended in motion, like they were working the hive and suddenly died.

I've attached some photos, unfortunately I brushed the bees off the frames before the photo, so can't show how many bees were working the frames and frozen in death.

Any idea what could have gone wrong thanks.

 

[Ian123]

Starvation…..

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Starvation…..

 

[blackcloud]

Ideal opportunity to clean and sterilse the kit
You now have drawn comb if you want to double brood.
I'd build a nuc too- plenty of resource there.

 

[smok]

yes it was starvation caused by robbing bees.
look on the floor tray ,mass uncappings,what bees this time of year do this on such scale???
I wan't be surprised if your next by strong hive(before was week) do that.

 

[thorn]

Sadly your absence appears to have coincided with the June gap, when there is a break in available forage. If they've not got sufficient stores, they starve unless you're there to spot the problem and feed them.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Ideal opportunity to clean and sterilse the kit
You now have drawn comb if you want to double brood.
I'd build a nuc too- plenty of resource there.

What would you do with all that dead brood?

 

[JamezF]

What would you do with all that dead brood?

Sell it on ebay?

James

 

[Blunt Spike]

Cant see any food, so like others have said starvation is a likely suspect.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Cant see any food, so like others have said starvation is a likely suspect.

It’s a certainty.

 

[Boston Bees]

Entrance appears to be open the full width of the brood box. If so, it's an open invitation to robbers.

 

[Buzzo]

i understand the starvation diagnosis but i also had the "suspended in motion" dead in March. couldnt see how starvation could result in groups of up to 10 being almost suspended in motion and not dropping dead onto the floors.

 

[Boston Bees]

i understand the starvation diagnosis but i also had the "suspended in motion" dead in March. couldnt see how starvation could result in groups of up to 10 being almost suspended in motion and not dropping dead onto the floors.

Some stick to the frames when they die

 

[Erichalfbee]

Head down in empty cells?

 

[Boston Bees]

Was a spring crop of honey taken?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Head down in empty cells?

not always the case with starvation though

 

[Erichalfbee]

not always the case with starvation though

No indeed.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

but the 'suspended in motion' thing is common in many deadouts for a variety of reasons

 

[blackcloud]

What would you do with all that dead brood?

https://coach.nine.com.au/diet/why-...-of-food/8f117644-2c88-481c-9f8a-8dd338f02e0d

 

[KMoyna]

What would you do with all that dead brood?

I had the same thing happen me last week and was wondering the same thing. i am assuming i can't just add a frame with dead brood to another hive/nuc?