Tonight a friend called with a problem.  He had checked his hives today
and found one completely empty of any bees, dead or alive.  No brood
or capped honey was in the combs, but the bottom board was full of wax as if ththe hive had been robbed out.  Only deep brood boes full of empty comb.  What happened to the bees:  we can only surmise
colony decided for whatever reason to move.
 
I have heard a very similar story from two beekeepers recently.  Each
lost one hive under similar circumstances.  Each hive was in good
equipment, had been treated for varoaa and tracheal mites, and seemed to be
in good condition facing the winter.
 
Did the bees leave?  Do bees do that?  If so, what factors cause a colony
to abscond, particulary in this time of the year.  These hives have all
been managed in southeastern Virginia, USA.
 
No wax worm damage was found.  Two of the hives had what appeared to be
mold in the center frames.  One hive was very moist inside, but was in
practically new equipment.
 
Please reply with your thoughts in the next day or so as my address will
be changing.
 
Thanks!
 
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