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4 out of 6 queenless colonies

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2 Oct 2023 8:22 AM

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Message # 13261833

Anonymous member

Yesterday my neighbor and I checked our six hives. Four of them were egg-less, brood-less, and queen-less. Three of those still had lots of bees.

We'd like to figure out what happened, so we can avoid it next year, and so that the remaining hives don't suffer the same fate in a couple of weeks.

Can someone help with an inspection and analysis, sort of non-post postmortem?

--Laurie

3 Oct 2023 11:10 AM

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Reply # 13262490 on 13261833

Anonymous member

I'd be glad to take a look but not sure my qualifications are adequate.

From where I sit I'd suspect a late season swarm and re-queen failure. Best case scenario only 70% of mated queens return, minus late season drone availability and predator peaking makes the odds of a late return even more difficult.

I treated right after harvest but not soon enough for some of my colonies and the mites got them. Have you treated?

Without a mite check I would not combine them.

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The Tualatin Valley Beekeepers Association is a regional association of the Oregon State Beekeepers Association (OSBA). The OSBA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of honey bee health in Oregon and beyond.

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