Allen F-> "Freeze the frames of the dead out and get it ready for spring." Sorry...but this is a new language for me...what does this mean????? There are no dead bees anywhere to be found with this hive, in the box or on the ground, they are simply gone. Comb attached to the bars,nothing in the comb, no bees.
" How many boxes on the live hive?" I have Top Bar Hives, 2 of them...well, one now. Is it safe to use the other hive box again since all of those bees ran away from home? Each TBH has 20 bars.
I've had them in their box, feeding them since I got them in May along with whatever they've foraged. Wouldn't they have at least have SOME honey stores put away for their own use for the winter? Do I continue feeding them thru out the winter? If I open the box often to feed them, doesn't it stand the chance of harming them with the cold in the winter? Should I get fondant and put it in the box monthly for them to eat?
Someone suggested 'robber bees' took their honey stores. Is there anyway to protect against this? How do I know if 'robbers' are there? They all look like bees to me, just flying around.
I would have never thought that this was so complicated...but I am learning and I am excited about it all! I hope to one day be the person who can actually ANSWER someones questions instead of being the one ASKING so much!! THANK YOU so much y'all!!!!