From:                   Mark Walker <[log in to unmask]>

> During my spring inspections and medications, I noticed that last years
> two best hives, which stockpiled lots (14 frames) of honey and two full
> frames of pollen have dwindled in population dramatically.  Both hives are
> down to less than two full frames of bees. The problem appears to be lack
> of brood space as a result of this years mild winter and the bees not
> consuming enough honey.

   Replacing the queens was a good idea, as they may be worn out, or
it may be simply poor stock. I'd also check carefully for both mites.

   But this also may be an example of a situation I have often warned
about in the fall. If the brood chamber is allowed to plug up and the
queen cannot lay that last round of brood, you go into winter with
old bees instead of young ones.

  Many beekeepers remove all supers before the last generation of
brood to treat for varroa. The bees become honeybound on the
goldenrod flow, and the queen shuts down early. The young bees of the
last fall generation are physiologically different. Without them,
bees overwinter poorly.

Dave Green  SC  USA
The Pollination Home Page:  http://pollinator.com

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