I am a novice beekeeper and have a hive which is weak as evidenced by very
little foraging activity. I have been feeding syrup for the past four
weeks and they have consumed about three quarts so far.  I have not opened
the hive for examination as I feel it would risk chilling them if it is a
small colony. There is no external sign of illness and they were
medicated with fumadil, tetramycin and Apistan strips the past fall.
 
The foraging activity I do see includes bees bringing in pollen, which a
friend believes is an indication that a queen is present in the hive. Can
someone comment on this?
 
Reese