Ron reports on a number of lost colonies in Eastern PA, with some losses
stemming back to late fall of last year.  I have only ten colonies in
Central New Jersey.  Lost one this winter, so far.   Used apistan for 5 days
last summer after the spring flow died out, then reapplied for the balance
of the treatment period after the fall flow was almost over (it seems to
dwindle here gradually).  Medicated grease patties in the early Spring, then
in the late fall (never when supers are on).
  Have not seen any varroa last year or this.  Am assuming the grease
patties are working for the trachea mites. The colony I lost did not produce
well last year, should have been re-queened or combined I think.  The
cluster was a good size, but they depleted the nearby frames and I guess one
of several cold snaps we had did them in.
   I did use Mr. Morong's bee candy recipe and have been giving all hives
candy this Spring, begining about a week ago.  They have been taking it,
some more agressively than others.  This is my first year using candy - in
prior years I would use syrup on installed nucs or only on those colonies
that seemed to have populations that seemed too low (not enough flying).
Candy is easier, but I suspect it will reduce losses due to starvation only
but not particularly mimic a real flow, and thus not be much good for
stimulating egg or comb production.
/Curtis Crowell