Lost colony

[Nonabeeone]

I opened hive yesterday in mild weather as ominously no bees were flying - and found them dead. Most were on the grid floor of hive, a few clustered together, head down in cells - which would seem to indicate starving. They were not the strongest colony so I provided fondant throughout winter and there were full frames of capped honey. I've heard of them 'loosing contact' with stores - how/why does this happen?

 

[BernardBlack]

A hive can die of starvation even though food is just on the next frame, can they not?

Was low numbers not able to keep the required cluster temperature part of the colony loss?

 

[Erichalfbee]

I opened hive yesterday in mild weather as ominously no bees were flying - and found them dead. Most were on the grid floor of hive, a few clustered together, head down in cells - which would seem to indicate starving. They were not the strongest colony so I provided fondant throughout winter and there were full frames of capped honey. I've heard of them 'loosing contact' with stores - how/why does this happen?

The colony dwindles to a size that cannot keep itself warm and in contact with food.
Did you treat them for varroa in August/September and with what?

 

[The Poot in Somerset]

Do you know the age of the queen - or why the colony wasn't strong? Most likely a varroa problem causing loss of colony strength if not queen related?
So sorry for your loss though - I had two failures last Spring, both queen related and it makes you feel wretched��

 

[Kenson]

Basically, below a certain temperature they have difficulty, or cannot, move about. They just cluster keeping themselves warm. They consume food doing this. When they need to eat they need to warm up a bit to move over the loaded cells. If there are not enough bees to warm up enough, they starve.

Rotten. I feel for you and them.

K