Even though I'm in California in a fairly temperate climate (typical lowest winter temps in the 20s), do the drones die off in fall? I have a new hive in my yard that's being maintained by a beekeeper, and he hasn't come by lately. I've been seeing dead bees here and there in the garden and a few flying around the lights at night and wondered if I should call him. The bees were "bearding" on the side of the hive, but the beard is much smaller now that it's cooling off, which I assumed was because of the drop in temperatures. Should I be concerned about anything? I know he has a lot of hives to maintain and I don't want to be a "Nervous Nellie"!
You really explain all this SO well!
