One of our new Club members Jacob Conner would like some help/thoughts on what's going on in his apiary. Get your thoughts together for discussion Tuesday evening. Here's his scenario:

"I had two hives that were going through their second year this year and they have both upped and left in the last month.One at the beginning of the month and one here in the last week. I have not seen any signs of parasite or pest activity that would indicate that the hives were unhealthy. On inspection after the hives had left there are not any large number of bee bodies left behind or stores. The stores look to be empty from bee activity. I believe the first one split itself to nothing as it had 5 queen cells through the two deep hive. The second one however on inspection tonight only had 2 cells. Prior to the second hive disappearance they had been busting at the seams. I provided them with a medium box to utilize prior to the arrival of the 2 aforementioned queen cells. They did not utilize this medium box in any matter. No wax has been drawn on it. This hive ceased its normal activity last Thursday but due to other priorities (my primary vehicle slipped time and destroyed the engine) I did not get into it till this afternoon. There is no sign in the wax of any sort of pest or parasite that pressured them out. There is also a lack of bodies that would indicate disease. The hives stores were empty but that could have been from robbing by my third hive.
I do have a third (and last) healthy hive that has not had this occur and expands continuously into any space I provide it. Is there anything I should look into regarding this hive that could point me towards the issues the two other hives faced?"
What would be causing this? Feel free to drop Jacob a note, too. c***@g***.com.

Don't forget to stop and say hi when you are at the Wanamaker Old Settler's Day Street Fair on Sunday June 30th. It should be a beautiful day.

Thanks, Vickie