Day 4 undated Queen is out. YAY!

[Georgia Boy]

Well it stopped raining and I couldn't stand it.

Fired up the smoker, doned the old jacket and veil and went to the hive.

Opened her up and the bees weren't pissy and very busy.

There is partially drawn comb on four of the eight frames and they are starting to store what looked like pollen, some nectar and probably syrup.

Was surprised to see that even though these are not small cell bees they don't seem to have any trouble with the Mann Lake PF120's that are small cell. In fact saw several bees head down all the way in cells. A good sign I hope.

Didn't want to disturb them too much so didn't even try looking for the queen. Just removed the empty queen cage.

I did take a couple of snap shots and here they are.     

[don2]

Where is Winston Ga? D2

[Georgia Boy]

In between Douglasville and Villa Rica on the west side of Atlanta.

[don2]

Gotcha D2

[Intheswamp]

Good deal, GB!  Looks like a bit of white comb building going on, too!  It looks like they're on their way! :)

I use wooden frames and have been using Kellys small cell wax foundation since I started.  The bees seem to take to it fine. 

One thing I will point out, and it may not be an issue at all...  Those recessed slotted areas on the edges of the plastic frames can be hiding places for shb.  Keep an eye on them.  Hmm, I wonder if it would be prudent to be looking for a beetle smasher that would fit nicely into those slots...a hive tool maybe very well work fine to use in those slots but might require some wiggling around to be sure and smash the beetles...maybe a piece of flat bar stock that will fit most of the shorter slots but can be ran back and forth in longer slots?  The pry hook on some hive tools might work good, too.

Best wishes...they're looking good!

Ed

[Georgia Boy]

Thanks Intheswamp!

For it only being a four day old pkg I think they have come a long way.

I was mainly in there to make sure the queen had ben released and remove the cage.

Did a quick check and saw they had started storing pollen, and what lked like some nectar and of course syrup.

When I got the pkg there was about 1/2 asn inch of dead bees in the bottom but they seem to be doing good.

Very pleased.

David

[Bees In Miami]

Looking good Georgia Boy!  Just think how quick they'll build when your weather finally breaks!   X:X 

Others may disagree with me, but, I have always been told that black is the worst color to wear near your hives.  You may find those nice new gloves become a bit of an attraction as a sting zone for the bees once they get stronger and older.  I always make sure I wear light colors.  Just my two cents... hopefully others will chime in on this. 

Enjoy your new bees!   Good luck!   :bee: