I got my Fall Apistan strips in the hive late.  The same packed
schedule and uncooperative weather that caused me to be late also has
given me problems with getting them back out again.  Having some
unusually warm December weather (mid-60's), and seeing the bees out
flying, I decided to get into my hive to retrieve the strips.
 
When I pulled the outer cover off I found 20-30 dead bees lying on top
of the inner cover.  I didn't pull frames out in the cool weather, but
the rest of the hive LOOKED like they were doing well.  Is there
anything unusual with finding a number of dead bees like this?
 
I also found that there were still some drones hanging around inside
the hive . . . I thought that they had all been run out with the
advent of cold weather?
 
Just as an aside, I'm in the middle of house building and have seen
numerous bees nosing around when it's warm and I'm outside.  The hive
is located about 600 feet downhill from the house.  What are the girls
doing flying around so much this time of year?
 
Thanks all.
 
John Taylor, RN
Flight Nurse
LifeBeat Air Medical
Cape Girardeau, MO