No, there are no pesticides on the property..
I believe they did drown.. there were so many so thick wedged in there that the syrup was "wicking" through them. I couldnt even knock them out by rapping the feeder on the table. I had to DIG them out with the hive tool.
The feeders are working well now, they do not drip, however there is the possibility that as they heated up this morning that they did drip faster than the bees could clean up, Will check them tomorrow morning as the sun begins to warm the jars to see.. But, as they are all "open" feeders now I do not forsee a problem even if they do.
On a side note.. the wife came down to watch me watch the feeding frenzy.. Wearing a BRIGHT blue shirt, and the bees immediately went to check her out.. which resulted in squealing, screaming, flailing, and running, which amused me greatly, so the day wasnt a total loss :) I would say not to tell her.. but the hysterical laughter that followed as she ran probably gave her all the knowledge she needed...... as I sat in my chair with my feet up by the feeders with my rum and coke surrounded by harmless bees..... Bees are so PERFECT for those times you need to get rid of the wife for a few minutes. Wish I had that on Vid so yall could enjoy the scene as much as I did... LOL