Lost two colonies

[VEG]

Went to check my hives today for stores. Looked like all hives were flying. Took straps off to heft them. All very light. Two colonies dead due to not enough bees. They were being robbed out by the others.

 

[Heather]

So sorry... maybe queenless. Build up rest and maybe do a couple of splits... IF you want to increase again.

 

[Luminos]

Rotten luck, veg

 

[psafloyd]

Bad luck. I have lost a couple of weak ones. Yes, they shouldn't have gone into winter weak, but circumstances prevented timely action.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Sorry to hear about that Veg, lost three last year - doesn't feel nice even though you know you've done everything you can to get them through the winter

 

[denise washington]

loss

hi veg sorry to hear about your loss, hope thing get better for you
denise

 

[VEG]

They were quite strong going into winter but seem to have dwindled out. I now have 6 spare hives to fill so will get them sorted ASAP

 

[Roola]

Really sorry to hear that Veg! Hope we get a nice spring and summer so the others flourish!

 

[VEG]

The others are very strong looking so there is hope yet.

 

[itma]

They were quite strong going into winter but seem to have dwindled out. ...

Which sounds like some Nosema tests might be called for.
The spores stay viable for 6 months, so the dead bees can be tested, for info.
But its the other hives that need the testing now. (Especially given the robbing.)

Got some acetic acid for fumigating the hives before reuse?

 

[sharonh]

Sorry to hear that Veg, not nice to lose them like that.
Sharon

 

[hiveabee]

Sorry to hear about your loss, chin up you will soon bounce back

 

[Erichalfbee]

Rotten luck

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Just had word from Redwood that one of mine didn't make it. I half expected it really, may even have expired before I left. Late emergency queen last year. I'd bought a new queen for it but the emergency queen had emerged by the time she arrived (probably a sealed QC there that I'd missed when I thought they were all open) so this one is now in a nuc. it's nice somehow to get the news second hand - bit of a downer when you're the one raising the crown board to find they've gone