My bottom boards are built so the closing board slides in and out for easy removal or for putting it back.I have decided to feed them sugar water, for now.
I hope they move it down to the frames and fill them with sugar water. I will give them a chance to survive, if they can store enough sugar water.
I can probably feed them for 6-8 more weeks. I am going to use a heavier than normal ratio. Instead of 1:1 I am using 2:1.
I should have put the winter bottom boards on yesterday, I forgot. So today I will take the hives apart, pottying off the bees again. I will put heavy closed cell styrofoam under them then the winter bottom board. As it is could to freeze tonight, I decided the screen bottom season is over.
I debated taking the concrete blocks out from under them and setting them on the ground. But that could invite rodents. Unless one of you tell me soon why I should set them directly on ground, they will stay on blocks all winter.