Here in Northern MN, temps were in the mid 30's today. Being that we've had stretches of 25 to 30 degrees below zero, for a week or two at a time, I've been very concerned about my bees. This is the first year of bee keeping for me, and I had 4 hives that were promising going into the winter. I just checked the hives and two of them are still alive, seem very active. I had wrapped the hives with tar paper so I have limited acess to see the bees. I pulled the cover off and looked through the center hole in the inner cover. I could see bees moving about in two of the hives. One of the other hive that looks like it's finished, the bees had come up into the hole in the inner cover hole, just packed in there, and that's were they died. Not sure what happened there. The forth hive is a mystery. I can't see the cluster, dead or alive, it's away from the center hole, so I can see anything.
I have to say that I'm very happy to have the two hives stilll aliive, with the weather we've been having.
Thanks to all of you folks for helping out, giving us newbies advise. This forum is a great source for information. Thanks again.
Leechmann