lost my colony

Alicia

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Sorry delayed reaponse. The bees were there, just dead. :hit
I will check in with her thanks! I did save the frames, in the garage - cold and protected. Will move to freezer. Do they need to b covered with anything in the freezer?
 

babsbag

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I only freeze mine for a few days, enough to kill any wax moths and then I put them in plastic storage crates. I have left them in the freezer longer, sometimes I put them in those giant Zip lock bags so they don't make a mess.
 

Happy Chooks

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Ditto on using the giant ziploc bags. The comb will get brittle and if they bump together, you'll get was pieces in your freezer.
 

Alicia

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Okay. Getting some bags and then to the freezer.
 

Latestarter

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Well, while the weather out east is a blizzard, it's low 50's here on the front range and feels like 70s in the sun so I waded back to the hive (still about a foot of snow) wearing slippers and a T-shirt. They're gone/dead. So in the end, I lost both my hives in my first year. I opened it up and pulled frames so I could see down into the lower deep. Lots of capped honey. plenty of pollen stores, no brood at all. Very few dead bees, and none with heads stuck into comb. :hu:hu:hu

It's for the better as now I don't have to worry about selling the hives or moving them full of bees when I move this coming summer. still a bummer. I really began to worry over a month ago when I saw yellow jackets entering the hive. <sigh> Oh well. I completely blocked the entrance to keep mice and robbers out. Will deal with it in the spring.
 

Maggiesdad

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I can't like that one for you, brother. Chalk it up to experience. Wonder how many of mine will be gone when this blizzard clears... :(
 

Latestarter

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Thanks... I hope yours do OK... Keep warm!
 

Happy Chooks

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I'm sorry Latestarter. What a bummer. I hope your move goes well and you can get set back up in bees this year.
 

Latestarter

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Thanks Chooks. I WILL have hives again, just a matter of where and when. I liked the honey too much. At least this way I don't have to make another huge investment in woodware to start... I'll have these 2 hives to start over with.
 

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