> Mike it sounds to me that your colony died due to something other than
> the crystalized honey.
Exactly. The problem with diagnosing on the 'net is that we cannot see
the hive.
In my personal experience, the thing that kills beginners' hives more
than anything else -- assuming mites and disease are in check -- is new
(sometimes half-drawn) comb and overmanipulation. Bees that have
settled into a hive and not been overly distrubed, and that have not had
their brood combs moved around too much by an amateur, usually winter
quite nicely.
Hives that have been 'helped' too much die with amazing frequency.
allen
http://www.honeybeeworld.com
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