Inspecting a dead hive in December

It is very natural for hives to die in the winter time. It is usually due to illness or if they didn't build up enough food stores for the winter. Every morning I take a walk around the apiary to see if I see little or no activity coming out of each hive. I monitor for a few days before I actually open up the hive to check. It's important not to open up the hives during winter because the cold weather can decrease their chances of survival. I also check the weight of the hive before opening. If it is light, it is another sign they might be dead.
After a few days of seeing no activity and seeing robber bees hovering around the hive, I decided to take a look inside. As soon as I opened the hive, there were no bees on the lid so I knew right away the hive was dead. I pried the boxes apart with my hive tool and noticed no dead bees, no honey, no larvae, and no pollen in any of the cells. Most likely, this hive absconded, or left. The hive was pretty clean and I didn't see many signs of wax moths(they usually come in after a hive dies and eat up all the wax), so I believe the colony recently left.
The next thing I will do is clean out the boxes and frames. I'll use the wax to make candles and balms. The boxes and frames will be used again this coming spring for new colonies that reproduce from our existing colonies.
#beekeeping #beekeeper #beekeeping101 #farmlife #beginnerbeekeeper #backyardbeekeeping #apiary #merced #mercedcalifornia #californiabeekeeper

[@alamenahlesetif]

Verry good nature

[@HappyBeekeeping]

Yes it is :)