sudden colony death

[Anna]

Hello fellow beekeepers,

At the beginning of May, I hived my top bar hive with Carniolans
shipped from CA. They appeared to be thriving each time I checked the
hive. Last Wednesday I checked the hive and everything looked great -
queen was there, five large combs had been built and already filled
with capped brood and nectar/pollen stores all in a healthy pattern.
No evidence of anything wrong whatsoever. Then the rains hit. This
evening was the first time I have even gone over to observe the hive
since then. What I came across was terrible. In front of the
entrance was a huge amount of dead bees with a few sluggish bees
flying in and out, most falling into the dead bee pile below. WHAT?
I quickly opened the hive and there were many more dead bees inside.
There were probably only a couple hundred living bees left, maybe not
even that many. Some were actually dead or dying on the combs. Does
anyone have any idea what this is? A disease? Pesiticide exposure?
Something to do with the cold weather? I would be very grateful to
have someone knowledgeable about bee diseases/deaths assess my hive if
possible. Can someone provide a phone number of a capable person to
do this?

I really appreciate this forum and look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you,
Anna Mohr
Columbia Falls

[James Valentine]

You did not indicate if you were still feeding the bees. If there was not a
real good nectar flow, and the cool weather was prohibiting them from
flying, sugar water or honey feed will be necessary to keep them going. I
am not available until late this afternoon to make an observation. You can
call me at 253-2462.
Julienne Valentine

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Anna" <nightr...@hotmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2010 11:34 PM
To: "Flathead Beekeepers" <flathead-...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [flathead-beekeepers] sudden colony death

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[Veronica and Doug Honthaas]

I am so sorry.MY very first guess would be poison, especially since it has
happened so fast. Has anyone in your area been spraying insecticide? If
you give me a call I could come over and look. Maybe we can get Rosie to
come, too. We are all in CF. Ronny 892-0280

----- Original Message -----
From: "Anna" <nightr...@hotmail.com>
To: "Flathead Beekeepers" <flathead-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2010 11:34 PM
Subject: [flathead-beekeepers] sudden colony death

[Veronica and Doug Honthaas]

Julie: That would be great if you could see the dead hive. i would like to
see it with you and learn something.

[Cindy]

I am so sorry to hear about your bees. I wonder if sending some of
the bees or comb or something for toxicology testing might be helpful
to us all, to document a poison if present. I would be willing to
help with the expense.

There is a lot of agricultural chemical application going on in our
area just before the rains started.

Cindy


On Jun 2, 8:17 am, "Veronica and Doug Honthaas"

<hontha...@centurytel.net> wrote:
> Julie: That would be great if you could see the dead hive. i would like to
> see it with you and learn something.
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "James Valentine" <jvalent...@montanasky.com>
> To: <flathead-...@googlegroups.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2010 7:06 AM
> Subject: Re: [flathead-beekeepers] sudden colony death
>
> > You did not indicate if you were still feeding the bees.  If there was not
> > a real good nectar flow, and the cool weather was prohibiting them from
> > flying, sugar water or honey feed will be necessary to keep them going.  I
> > am not available until late this afternoon to make an observation.  You
> > can call me at 253-2462.
> > Julienne Valentine
>
> > --------------------------------------------------

> > From: "Anna" <nightrefl...@hotmail.com>

[Veronica and Doug Honthaas]

Just talked to Rosie Burke and she concurred with my thoughts. Years ago the
bee inspector had told her that some of the chems they use to spray the
dandelions can cause that sudden death. Anna might want to check with her
neighbors.

Julie: I will be out at Anna's around 1 pm this afternoon to take a look.
Hope to see you. Ronny