I can't explain why your hive crashed. I keep my hives on a
deck just outside my family room. There a two double sliding doors on
the east side with the hives just outside. Most nights through the
summer many bees, 30-100, will get home late and be attracted by the
lights in the family room. I try to keep light disfused with the lamp
shades and this minimizes the effect somewhat. I did not experience
this happening in the fall.
 
        Two of the four doors have s screen and many of the bees light
on it and remain until morning. The bees on the screen and the deck
look quite dead in the morning but most recover once warmed by the
raising sun.
 
        I did not experience this happening in the fall as I assume
was the case with you.
 
        One other observation, I noticed a few times early summer an
excessive number of bees at the window. There was not obvious
explanation so I considered it was a skunk bothering the hives. It
turned out that there was an opposum scratching the hives. Once out of
the hive and in the darkness any of the defending bees were attracted
to the light and remained until morning. Your hives may also have been
bothered by some animal.
 
        As suggest by members of BEE-L, I dissuaded the opposum by
placing secured mouse traps baited with apple. After a couple pinches
on the nose it didn't return. Also suggested by BEE-L and tried was
chicken wire placed on the ground around the entrance to the hives.
This did not work in my case as the decking and railing provided to
firm a footing I assume.
 
        Hope this helps.
 
        Regards,
 
                Jim Moore