Probably just dwindled after a queen not returning from a mating flight. Happens regularly, unless you're in the hives often. Sending swarm luck your way.
Sad but way too early to say it's a total loss. They are somewhere and I'm willing to bet that they'll bee back or new ones will move in. Thanks for this report. I've been wondering how things are going!! 🙏🙏🐝🐝
I've heard that wax moths are natures way of cleaning out old comb and that wax moth droppings are one of the very best swarm attractants. So in nature, eventually a tree-hollow hive gets full of very old comb. (not the case here) The bees move out, moths come in then clean it for a new swarm. very cool
Eah... pretty much. Nature's cleanup crew. And if I'm not mistaken, hive beetles clean up the propolis. The propolis is basically the way that bees seal everything up and help prevent diseases, the wax acts as the live of the hive and absorbs and contains the toxins and such. So if a hive dies out or absconds due to disease, the cleanup crew shows up to clean it up and reset for the next swarm/colony to move in.
Likely the colony couldn’t defend themselves since they had too much space to protect. This allowed the moths to enter and take over. Keep bees space limited so they can cover the frames and fight. If it was decease you would see more dead in the hive
My guess is that the queen didn’t return from a mating flight, and as numbers dwindled down it got robbed out. Notice all the cappings on the floor, your colony died and your honey is in another hive. I had the same thing happen, looked just like that; funny thing, as I had the top open removing small hive beetles, a huge swarm moved in.
More than likely the colony left and then the wax moth moved in. The reason for leaving was probably in response to viruses, caused most likely by varroa infestation. When wax moth or hive beetles force an abscond, that is the final result of a failing colony, not the cause of it. I am not criticizing, just sharing information. I support your right to keep bees any way you see fit. Good luck on your next swarm and colony.
I also like swarmsteads theory. If there was a very small amount of capped brood (dead under cappings) then he is probably correct. If they leave due to disease or varroa, they generally leave some brood behind.
Close the other entrance. The bees will typically use one entrance. Having 2 or more that are open, it's harder olfor the bees to guard both and prevent intruders. It also seems the bees mostly care about guarding the entrance nearest the brood and don't guard the honey end as effectively. Might help.
We've yet to do any frame freezing but I hear it's good for preserving comb. We might try it out this year. The container is around 40 gallons, it's a perfect Layens frame holder especially when collecting honey in the fall!
Correct except when an entire colony exits a hive it's referred to as Absconding. This colony could not keep up with the wax moths so it vacated possibly in search of a new home. We have caught three swarms this year and it's very possible one of the colonies we captured was in fact from this hive.
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Probably just dwindled after a queen not returning from a mating flight. Happens regularly, unless you're in the hives often. Sending swarm luck your way.
Didn't think about that, good hypothesis. I would wish you swarm luck but you have too much already! ;)
Sad but way too early to say it's a total loss. They are somewhere and I'm willing to bet that they'll bee back or new ones will move in. Thanks for this report. I've been wondering how things are going!! 🙏🙏🐝🐝
I've heard that wax moths are natures way of cleaning out old comb and that wax moth droppings are one of the very best swarm attractants. So in nature, eventually a tree-hollow hive gets full of very old comb. (not the case here) The bees move out, moths come in then clean it for a new swarm. very cool
Never knew that, very interesting.
@@SecureAcresNaturalBees It was from a podcast - I'll try to find it... :)
Eah... pretty much. Nature's cleanup crew. And if I'm not mistaken, hive beetles clean up the propolis. The propolis is basically the way that bees seal everything up and help prevent diseases, the wax acts as the live of the hive and absorbs and contains the toxins and such. So if a hive dies out or absconds due to disease, the cleanup crew shows up to clean it up and reset for the next swarm/colony to move in.
Great explanation and good luck
Likely the colony couldn’t defend themselves since they had too much space to protect. This allowed the moths to enter and take over. Keep bees space limited so they can cover the frames and fight. If it was decease you would see more dead in the hive
My guess is that the queen didn’t return from a mating flight, and as numbers dwindled down it got robbed out. Notice all the cappings on the floor, your colony died and your honey is in another hive. I had the same thing happen, looked just like that; funny thing, as I had the top open removing small hive beetles, a huge swarm moved in.
Interesting hypothesis.
More than likely the colony left and then the wax moth moved in. The reason for leaving was probably in response to viruses, caused most likely by varroa infestation. When wax moth or hive beetles force an abscond, that is the final result of a failing colony, not the cause of it. I am not criticizing, just sharing information. I support your right to keep bees any way you see fit. Good luck on your next swarm and colony.
I also like swarmsteads theory. If there was a very small amount of capped brood (dead under cappings) then he is probably correct. If they leave due to disease or varroa, they generally leave some brood behind.
Interesting thought! I may have been wrong on this one.
Close the other entrance. The bees will typically use one entrance. Having 2 or more that are open, it's harder olfor the bees to guard both and prevent intruders. It also seems the bees mostly care about guarding the entrance nearest the brood and don't guard the honey end as effectively.
Might help.
Thanks for the advice!
Just curious if u recommend freezing the frames first? Also, love the clear tote/frame holder in the background👍😎what size is that?
We've yet to do any frame freezing but I hear it's good for preserving comb. We might try it out this year. The container is around 40 gallons, it's a perfect Layens frame holder especially when collecting honey in the fall!
first So could they have swarmed and went to a new hive?
Correct except when an entire colony exits a hive it's referred to as Absconding. This colony could not keep up with the wax moths so it vacated possibly in search of a new home. We have caught three swarms this year and it's very possible one of the colonies we captured was in fact from this hive.
One of my hives did exactly the same thing this year Wes except no wax moths and was able to extract 5 full frames of honey
:) wax moths don't take over a live colony :)
The wax moths take *after* the live colony is gone.
The ABCs.
Wax moths don't take over a healthy colony. They will absolutely start moving in if a colony is in a weakened state. :)