Northwest WA state. Sixth year hobbyist. February already has 5 inches more rain than monthly average. December and January dry cold and more snow than typical. Only two days this month over 50 F so far.
12 full size colonies, 6 nucs (2 5X5 and 4 4X4). Treated with MAQS in August, OAV last week in January. Lost 1 5X5 and 2 full sized hives. 3 total out of 18 mixed colonies for 17%. Both full size colonies had mites after MAQS. Lost nuc was late July swarm with marginal queen.
Reports of commercial beekeepers in Skagit County at last club meeting with losses from 50-70% (note: "losses" include live dinks too small to make frame count late January, not necessarily dead hives)
Rob
Fidalgo Island, WA
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