Central Oregon Beekeeping Association - Top Bar Mayhem? Or setting up shop?

Reply to: Top Bar Mayhem? Or setting up shop?

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<blockquote>Dennis Gallagher wrote:

Dan, it sounds like your hive had too small of a population to maintain survivable nest temperatures during the cold part of the winter.&nbsp; It is hard to say why.&nbsp; Many causes are possible, most (in my opinion) likely are queen was laying poorly in the fall resulting in a small population, or, varroa mite infestation which caused the bees to have weakened immune systems, making them susceptible to various viruses, also introduced, or magnified by,&nbsp; varroa mites, which resulted in high mortality rate, and again small population.

Did you treat for varroa mites last fall? If so when, (approximate date) and with what?&nbsp; What was the population like last fall?

It is possible that a swarm could move into the empty hive, I don't know if robbers would discourage that or not.&nbsp; But, you could remove all but some empty comb and a swarm would be just as likely to move in.&nbsp; Then you could add back the honey. The empty comb will act as an attractant. The scouts for a swarm are more interested in the nest size, and height from the ground. The old comb provides a scent to help attract them.&nbsp;

Dennis 
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