For some unknown reason, my bees didn't make it through the winter. There was still honey, but the bees (not very many) all died.
I've been prepping the hive boxes for the new bees arriving in a week. I had a fully screened bottom board. Is there anything I should do to the ground underneath the hive? Might there be mites, beetles, or other detrimental organisms harbored in the mulch located about 10" under the hive?
Is there any reason I shouldn't run a torch lightly over all the interior surfaces to kill any eggs or organisms that could be in wood cracks and crevices of the boxes? I'm putting in all new frames.
Thanks, everyone, for any tips you may have and also for being such a good source!
Mike