Stubborn ole fool - 3/4/2020

A beautiful 60 degree day yesterday was perfect for getting into the hive.  I wanted to clean it out before spring...I did order a new package of bees to pick up in May.  That's why I'm a stubborn ole fool.  I NEED to get these bees through the winter months...all of them, not part of the winter. So will try yet again.

So here's what I found yesterday.

Not sure what this debris is . wax I guess. 

Here are two frames of honey...I ended up with about 4 full frames and another 3 or so with partial areas of honey.

This is the top deep (there are three deeps). I think they were up at the top because that's where more of the honey was.

Look at all the babies being born at the time they froze.

One empty frame with these black dots.  Not sure what they are but this will get a new foundation.

The paper on top of these frames had been one method of attacking varroa - Oxilic acid solution. I don't believe varroa was a situation.

Another frame with babies in the midst of being born.  It breaks my heart!!

Ugly frame.

 So the only thing I plan to do different this coming year is to make sure I wrap the hive.  I will also go back to adding bales of hay around them for added protection.  Otherwise I will stick to the same care as this year, but will probably change out the api strips for something else. 

Another sad story (:.