> wouldn't the astute beekeeper see sick bees prior to death?  -- Don Coats, DVM, LLC

The problem is two-fold, at least here. One, the hives are usually wrapped from Nov to April. Winter mortality usually takes place during this time. Secondly, I have monitored colonies closely during winter and the general symptoms are dwindling population. For this reason, I have come to the conclusion that the proximate cause of winter failure is shortened lifespan, which in turn could be caused by viruses and/or poor fall nutrition.

PLB

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