Since we're on the subject of dying bees... I've just lost a hive I started
last spring.  It has long streaks of brown feces at the entrance indicating
Nosema.  I treated the colony with fumidil in the spring and fall last year
with the correct amounts mixed in syrup.  Is it still possible for Nosema to
kill the hive?  Another interesting sight: when I pulled apart the top brood
chamber yesterday, there were dead bees in the comb as if they were
starving, but there was capped and uncapped stores on the same comb.
 
Curious in Iowa.
 
Chris