So it's lovely here today finally. Temps in the mid 60s. Went out to the yard to check my one surviving hive, which I was pretty sure was no longer a survivor. I was right. Opened her up to find no activity. When I checked before winter there was a healthy population of bees. The dead that are in there now shows a really dramatic decrease in numbers.
Plus, the top box is 80% full of honey. The bottom box had honey in the top thirds of most of the frames. I'm guessing there was a swarm, leaving depleted numbers of residents. And I think perhaps a minor wax moth infestation (couple of the frames had telltale holes, though no larvae visible). Took everything apart and brushed off the dead. Funny thing though: in the midst of this, one solitary little worker flew out of the bottom box and buzzed around my head checking me out. Poor girl -- no-one to play with. I'm amazed she survived all on her own.
Anyway, I've ordered a NUC which I'll pick up early May. Till then I want to save these frames. Unfortunately my freezer has people food in it (I know, silly me). I would be able to freeze maybe three frames at a time. Should I go ahead and freeze them in lots of two or three for a few days and then bag them up tightly until I can put them back out with the new bees? Will the honey and pollen be okay after freezing and sitting in a plastic bag for the best part of two months?
Thanks, as always!