On my weekly hive inspection, I saw several hundred (possibly 1000+) dead bees in and around. The colony was small to start-- only three weeks into
After a combination of asking around and my own research, I concluded that the deaths were caused by one of the following:
- Cold weather. The five days before the deaths suffered abnormally cold weather. I didn't inspect the interior or exterior of the hive during this time. Local beeks tell me that a few hundred deaths due to cold weather is common.
- Pesticides. The big bad word. At first I thought this to be the strongest case, but then I found that this is not the time of year for spraying. Maybe the garden center's plant vendors spray the plants before they ship them. I have yet to ask them.
- Epic bee battle. One person suggested this-- not as a joke. If one hive tried to rob another hive, there would be blood. http://youtu.be/tnOGMSKGfWw
When I checked the hive, albeit small in number, they were working happily with their original queen. Plenty of worker brood ensure that they will return to full strength in the coming months if there are no more disasters.
After a combination of asking around and my own research, I concluded that the deaths were caused by one of the following:
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