Rusty,
I have the same problem with several of my 2016 packages. High population, low reserves.
I'm not so sure it's dearth, it might be a large population eating the reserves faster than they can harvest.
I have read that Italians don't regulate their population as well as other types of bees.
I'm feeding those hives about a gallon of 1:1 per week. I have been considering switching to 2:1 hoping it will be less work on me. Right we are preparing for winter and I want to build up the stores. If I were you I would follow the advice of the local beeks in your area. Since your population is so high I doubt they have swarmed or are unhealthy.
I'm in SE Indiana so things may be different.