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! [log in to unmask]