hive not doin too good - white on backs

[beesleybees]

Hi guys,

I have a hive which has shown a dramatic loss in bee numbers since i bough it a few months back. I can seem to find the queen but there are eggs in the brood frames but have notice there are no honey reserves in the brood frames!!

I have tried feeding with sugar syrup but they dont touch it compared to my other hive.

I notice the other day that the bees have white on their backs, could this be just pollen from balsam or could it be something more sinister

 

[greatbritishhoney]

I had a hive starve to death a few winters ago. The remaining few bees all had white in their backs.
The bee inspector checked them and said that it was not disease.

Sorry I can't be more help!

 

[stilllearning]

the white on their backs will almost certainly be balsam . is it hour glass shaped?
as for the decline in numbers , could be varroa or nosema, ring up your RBI I'm sure he/she will come out and tell you exactly what it is

 

[Midland Beek]

Any colony that has been broodless after swarming is going to suffer a decline in numbers, seen as there has been nothing to lay eggs for a while. And colonies in most parts are in decline by now.

 

[Blue Spinnaker]

HB as below?

 

[RosieMc]

Brillient photo. The first time I saw this I was convinced that I had invading bees of a different breed coming into the hive from somewhere else

Is there anyway we can mark this photo on 'search' as an example of balsam?