Thomas,
 
   I don't know if mine have been out since November.  Tomorrow is
supposed to be over 50F here, so maybe they will get some flights in.
You probably don't need to worry unless you start seeing dark stains on
the glass or around the entrance.  This indicates Nosema or dysentery,
and indicates they need some Fumadil-B in their syrup.
 
   If they have been living the winter on good quality honey, and not
syrup or something with starch, etc., in it, they should do fine till
they can get out.
 
Gerry and the other Visels at
[log in to unmask]
Winnebago, Illinois, USA
 
 
On Mon, 17 Feb 1997 19:02:21 -0500 "(Thomas) (Cornick)"
<[log in to unmask]> writes:
>   I have a question for obsevation hive keepers-  how long
>can you keep the bees bottled up in the observation hive in
>the winter without access to the outside for cleansing
>flights? and how long once there is brood present.
>   The problem with observation hives as I see it is every
>question you use the hive to answer fosters two new
>questions.
>