plants4chris, the only thing i can think of is that the bees have died. wax worms have took over and thats the end of it. in the fall of the year when the bees are working sumac you will have a bad smell from the nectar,which clearsup when itis ripened.also if the hive has foulbrood disease you will get a foul odor. check the comb,if the cells in the comb are sunken in examine futher. the bee grub will be a dark color and not white. hope this helps. dannybee

Are these hives alive or dead??