> The temperature is a balmy 40 degrees. I deceided to check on my bees. I
>noticed that one of the hives,in the inner cover, the bees are "balling"
>through the bee escape hole. I am afraid to open the hive any further,due to
>the low temperture.I reside in the state of Maine.Should the bees in this
>hive be feed?
 
 
They are likely just clustered high in the hive at this point, having eaten
the food up below.  Now the bulk of the cluster is situated just under the
lid where it's nice and warm.  It sounds like they are strong which is
great.  Until warmer weather comes, you can pour 3 or 4 pounds of
granulated (table) sugar around the escape hole for them to work on, just
as a precaution.  Then replace the outer cover - no need to have it pushed
all the way down.  Moisture from the cluster will get to the sugar and the
bees can slowly eat it away.
 
BTW I always invert the inner cover for winter.  This gives the colony more
crawl space above the frames so they can easily move the cluster
around/over to where there is still honey.  (I've occasionally seen
colonies cluster almost completely in this enlarged space.  Without being
broken up by intervening combs they can stay tight and warm, and have
access to honey in combs beneath them.)  For ventilation I put two sticks,
say 1/4 - 3/8 inch thick across the ends of the inner cover,  at front and
back, to keep the outer lid raised up a bit.  This seems to keep them nice
and dry.
 
When it gets up into the 50's you can peek under the inner cover to see
where cluster is centered.  As long as you see honey in contact with them,
you're all set, and they don't need the sugar.  You can just leave what's
there for a snack.