i had four hives croak completely this winter, one from dysentery(that one was obvious), two froze to death (the bees were still in cluster, heads into cells), and i have no idea what happened to the fourth because it was two deeps full of dead bees and green mold...maybe moisture dripping from inner cover? The one hive that survived was the one that shouldn't have... it was only one medium and one shallow super (no deeps) and each only half full of honey (and it still has capped honey on top) and maybe 2# of bees, if that. They have been merrily bringing in loads of pollen for the last two weeks, and completely ignoring the honey i put upstairs for them to eat. I moved them to the backyard (they were 40 miles away, which wasn't working due to gas prices and lack of babysitters, and is why they were in such bad shape at the end of the season last year). this isn't what i expected either. i have heard that a lot of Michigan beekeepers had bad winters, with numerous hives freezing to death. anyone else with similar experience?
Beefree