hive doesn't look so good-and I only have one! :(

[harleechik70]

Last year was my first year, so bear with me with all of the questions.

I opened my hive for the first time today, to clean it up and see what was going on. I thought for sure my girls had survived the winter, because I've seen some flying in and out the past few weeks and in the last week a jar of syrup has been depleted. Now I'm thinking maybe it just all dripped out/evaporated?!?

When I opened it, there were only a few (10-15) bees in and around the hive, but boy were they giving me a hard time. Made me smile despite the circumstances.

So, my question is, where do I go from here. Why are those few tragglers hanging around, unless perhaps one is the queen...??? They were all in the air so I couldn't see them close enough to tell, not that I'd know FOR SURE anyway.

Do I need to try and get a package? Is that even going to be possible at this late date?

[Kurt Bower]

I am afraid what you have been observing are other bees robbing your hive.
Without question you hive is dead.
Start calling around and perhaps someone will have some bees. They will be hard to come by this year.

Kurt

[Kurt Bower]

check here first.
http://guilfordbeekeepers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=225

[harleechik70]

Thanks, Kurt. Oh well, I knew that was the risk with just having one hive, but I'm not discouraged. I learned so much the first year...mostly what not to do but that's still great knowledge.