Frustrated with the hive neglect of another, but what do you do?

[CpnObvious]

This is more of a rant, but if you have any suggestions, I'm open to them...

Last year when I picked up my initial two packages I also picked 3 up for someone I know through work.  He has a different take on few bee care related things, but don't we all?

Anyway, his bees are kept within eyesight of work.  As of a few months ago he no longer works for the same organization and has moved, though I don't know how far.  His bees are still where they were. When I learned he's not around any more (3/10)  I immediately reached out to him to make sure the bees haven't been abandoned. He, naturally, responded by saying that he couldn't move them with all the snow we've had, but he "hopes to move them in the spring". I let him know I cracked mine open and fed them and advised hi to do the same.

On 3/17 we had some NASTY wind.  He asked me to keep an eye on them. I did.  All 4 of his hives (1 was from the previous year) were still alive.  The wind was nasty for 2 days, so I made sure they were ok.  On 3/18 I told him they should be fed.

I opened the hives this past Friday, 3/27, and found an awful sight...  Two hives were dead, CLEARLY starved to death, 1 hive VERY weak, but alive, and the fourth was stronger, but not great.  I sent him a pic and let him know the status.  Again, I told him they REALLY need to be fed over the weekend. He said he would try. 

Yesterday, 3/30, I asked if he had fed them, though I "knew" the answer. He asked what to feed them, where to get it, etc...  After giving him a bunch of advice I even went so far as to offer to buy all the hive equipment he had left there.  Yeah, that went nowhere.  I knew he would, and I was going to anyway, ask me to feed them.  I went and fed them on my lunch break today, giving them each about 1/3 of a Mann Lake "Winter Patty".  The weaker of them sent a few scouts up to see what was going on.  I never saw a cluster, but could hear some bees buzzing from down below (his hives are each 3 mediums).  I left their patty on top of the inter cover by the hole.  The stronger of the hives was balled up just below the inner cover.  I placed their patty on top of the frames next to the ball.

I didn't keep the hives uncovered long because it was only about 40f out with a mild breeze, so a thorough "exam" was not possible.

I left him know I fed them.  He's thanked me and offered to send me some $$ for feeding them.

I find this whole situation about as frustrating as can be.  Two hives were "intentionally?" left to die and the other two aren't far behind. The snow is down enough to safely relocate the bees.  If he doesn't want them, why not just sell them?  UGH!!!

*steps off soapbox and walks away shaking head*

[LogicalBee]

I can see your obvious frustration, but on the other hand we don’t know the problems your co worker might be dealing with right now.  I kind of hate to say it, but there are a lot of problems that are more pressing than a few bee hives.  Family, health, debts, foreclosure, taxes, his job, the roof over your head, etc.  Sometimes the bees just have to take a back seat and hope for the best; just like in the wild.  Then again some people just aren’t that responsible to begin with and maybe that’s his story; we don’t know.

Suggestions?   Do we know his Briggs Myers personality type.   Who knows what motivates this guy, but maybe making him a firm cash offer on the hives would result in some action IDK. 

[Jen]

Well Obvious... this is where the rebelious side of me comes out. I wouldn't have waited until I got his permission to feed, I would have put feed on a long time ago, just anonymously. Sort of the same as if there were a dog tied to a stake out there, ya just feed them and make sure they are warm.

I'm sorry you suffered with watching this. That would have made me mad as well and then the mother in me would have come out ~ 

[Perry]

I like the cash offer myself. Let him know that he will be picking up 4 dead hives shortly, and that you would be willing to take over.
If he refuses, let nature take its course.
It may sound harsh, but eventually he is going to have to assume responsibility for them and if this is how he does it they will not live long in any event.

[rwlaw]

Poeple neglect things, from horses to bees. Excuses? Heard it all, I don't want to disturb the bees, they'll be alright, I'll do it tomorrow, oops I forgot, out of town, blah, blah. The thing that burns my toast is they'll pin the blame on everything but themselves.
Cptn, figure out what he's got there, subtract fifty percent, then the time to clean things up. Call him and tell him that it's obvious that he's in over his head for some reason or another (and your really not interested) to properly care for something that your passionate about and you'll take the equipment off his hands. If he doesn't bite, just tell him you'll call when the snow's off the ground and he can come get them and out of your sight.

[Ray]

We strive to keep our colonies alive and health, then you run across people like that 
But, it has been and still is acceptable to starve bees to death. U of Minn calls it 'depopulating'

[CpnObvious]

I had made a cash offer in our texting, it wasn't really acknowledged.  I am going to continue to watch them.  The snow is actually gone-enough to safely move them, but I don't anticipate that happening any time soon, if at all.  I figure I'll wait another two weeks and make the offer again.  The equipment is aged, but not bad.  He uses Rite-Cell plastic frames (not my liking, but I'd take them.  And everything would need a super-good cleaning, especially the dead hives.

I know what I went through to clean and prep my 20+ year-old hives before using them last year, and that was just from keeping them in storage!  These would all need to be overhauled, but for the right price would be mostly worthwhile.  I'm more interesting in keeping the bees alive.

I understand life can be rough and much can get in the way.  The re isn't much that's not on my "been there, done that" list.  Sadly, that list is rather long for my age.  But I've learned how to work and deal with things and how to balance on that very fine line.

We'll see where this goes.  I'll update this when there's progress, or lack there of.

[CpnObvious]

U of Minn calls it 'depopulating'

There's a few areas I'd like to "depopulate". 

[Newbee]

I left him know I fed them.  He's thanked me and offered to send me some $$ for feeding them.

I find this whole situation about as frustrating as can be.  Two hives were "intentionally?" left to die and the other two aren't far behind. The snow is down enough to safely relocate the bees.  If he doesn't want them, why not just sell them?  UGH!!!

I have to agree w/ the other comment, who know's whats happening in their personal life?
The thanks and offer for $$ tells me this person cares (at least a little, LOL!), perhaps they will accept your offer? I would try to send it out there w/ a compassionate tone, vs. hostile or accusingly. They are less likely to see your point of view in the matter if approached in a hostile manner, and I'm groaning at myself here, but you know the old saw: you catch more flies w/ Honey… LOL!

I used to experience a lot of frustration w/ irresponsible hobbyists in the Saltwater aquarium hobby, especially on the internet: "I can't keep XYZ alive, I've tried a dozen of them, what am I doing wrong?" type posts used to elicit some serious venom from me…. but all it did was drive people away from listening to and possibly accepting alternative viewpoints (did you know wild-caught SW animals in the trade suffer anywhere from 10-50:1 die off ratio's in transport? This guy's 'dozen' translated to 120-600 dead specimens!) Try to be understanding, don't make assumptions, and do the best YOU can do. What other people do is beyond your control, just have to let it go, or as Jen said, stick some fondant cakes under the covers, send the guy the receipt if you like. 

Worst case, pull the queen(s), 'Hey, they must have swarmed…"

- K

[Perry]

Another option is to just tell him his bees are not going to make it, but you will be OK with buying just the bees (and frames of brood) and transfer them to your equipment, and he can restock his gear with new bees when he is better prepared. No real financial loss on his part that way.

[Jen]

That's a good idea Perry, just get the bees out, I like that 

[riverbee]

i think capn, you have done the best you can do. sounds harsh, but just let it go, and let him reach out to you now.

if he doesn't, they are his bees not your bees.  whether you like it or not they may suffer, starve and may not survive. this probably won't be the first time that you will witness neglect, or  a 'beehaver', rather than a 'beekeeper'.

on the flip side, he may not have appreciated pointing out his neglect, and your going through his equipment, sending him a pic and offering advice, etc.?
just saying, although good intentions by you, it's possible that he doesn't want your help?

that said...........swarm season is upon us, hear what i am saying? 
love free bees.......

[pistolpete]

I agree with riverbee on this one.  Plenty of bee hives starve out in the early spring because novice beeks don't think they have to worry about anything till the dandelions bloom.  Let him learn his lesson and offer advice only it he comes by to chat.   I understand it's frustrating, but so's watching people drive and text.

[tecumseh]

sounds like to me you did the appropriate thing and even did more than anyone should have expected.  hats off to you on that!

[Jacobs]

I'll help another beekeeper if he or she needs help, but I am not interested in doing the work for an able bee"keeper".  I would not go into another person's hives without permission.  I would consider calling our state inspectors once the hives become deadouts.  Who knows what diseases may be lurking in "abandoned" hives and whose bees may be taking food from the deadouts?

In North Carolina, I would not hesitate to get the inspectors involved.  We are lucky.  Our inspectors are all about educating beekeepers and helping keep healthy bee populations.  Police powers are a last resort in their arsenal.

[CpnObvious]

Apparently I didn't make part of what I said overly clear.  He had asked me to keep an eye on them.  He has thanked me for keep an eye on them and has appreciated the update(s).  I'm just frustrated that I'm watching them die.  My initial contact to him about them was nothing more than, more or less, finding out if he had abandoned them or would be coming to get them.  The response to that initial communication was asking me to keep an eye on them.  I have not overstepped any boundaries or on anyone's toes.

Hopefully, feeding them I will be able to keep them alive until he comes to get them... Or maybe agrees to sell them to me.

[Jen]

That was the confusing part to me as well Cpn, what does "keep an I on them" mean? Give them some sugar? Let me know when they are dead? An illusive bee case for your for sure 

[CpnObvious]

To help clarifya bit:

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