They are gone, all gone! None of our honeybees survived this long, cold winter. I guess that means we are disqualified as beekeepers since we didn't do so well keeping them.What happened? We did an inspection today and found they all had plenty of surplus honey stores so they didn't starve to death. We also found that they did not die in a cluster formation, which means they didn't freeze to death. The few dead ones that remained were scattered around the hives in random poses, none with their heads poking into the comb. There were no signs of any disease, mites or other pests. Perhaps it was CCD? Perhaps it was bad genetics? Perhaps it was pesticides?
We'll order more and start again. Maybe we'll go back to Italians again or try some Russians.
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4 comments:
Oh, I am truly sorry to read this. I have been reading your blog for 3 years and like the bee updates. I recently read the book "Fruitless Fall" (read it twice, actually, it was that good) and wondered how your hives had fared this winter with such hard weather piled on top of all the other stuff that's going on with them.
Two weeks ago, I talked to the local beekeeper who sells at my farmers' market and her hives are depleted but doing OK. The winter here is not hard: northern California but only rain and no snow, so far easier on the bees than your winter weather.
Best of luck to you with your new colonies.
So sorry to hear about your loss, can also recommend "Fruitless Fall" its a great book. Still haven't finished it, too busy with the Bees.
Good luck for next year and keep us all posted on your Bee Keeping adventures.
See ya...Gary
Good luck for your beekeeping
obaid mahboubah
iraq _ aldiwainiyah
mah56obaid@yahoo.com
http://aldiwaniyahbees.blogspot.com
thank you
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