Last Monday Thursday I treated my bees, as Claire mentioned, I needed to clean my bottom broad to get the dead bees out of the way to make it possible for my bees to get out.
Rick
I've seen a couple of hives where the foam is a little damp. That shouldn't be. Hopefully your hives have something over the outer metal cover to keep condensation from getting inside. Some of us have insulated foil both on the outside and the inside of the outer cover. The bees are not in danger from dripping but it still will be better if you cover the top of your hive with something. Burlap sack? Whatever, just something...
I went to help someone vaporize their hive today but all the bees were dead in the bottom. Two inches of dead bees. Sad. They had bees flying a couple of weeks ago. There was one deep and one super filled with capped honey! I have a couple of thoughts on this. First the entrance reducer was set to the one inch opening. I learned and shared with you in the last forum topic that the bees on the bottom of the winter cluster die if the temp inside goes to 46. As that happens there could be too many bees for the colony to clean out. So be sure you have the three inch opening and keep an eye out for clogged entrances. Upper entrances are also a help.
Chances are high that it was at least, or maybe mostly, varroa related. We are all going to do better in 2023.
I fear for the bees for the temps in the 20's we'll be having this week. Hopefully your hives are wrapped.
I went into the club hives today. Well, I didn't go in. I just checked on the food supply. Even though it was 50 outside, it was overcast and cold. There were no bees in the feeders. I suspect they were in a cluster. None of the entrances were blocked and their were signs of wax dust on the bottom boards. So they are doing something.... We can continue to hope!
It's a great time to watch youtube videos about bees. Bob Binnie and Kamon Reynolds and the University of Guelph Honey Bee Lab are always good choices. Especially try the University of Guelph....