I installed 3 pounds of Bees and Queen in a new hive 10" body on the 23 of April. I have check them a couple of times
the last time being Sat. the 12th of this month. The bees have filled out about 7 of the 10 frame of foundation and
have made lots of honey. A little bit of the honey is already capped. I only inspected about 3 frames on Saturday and it
started raining so I closed the hive. I have helped my father with bees, he has has three hives, but this is my first try for my self.
I have not seen the Queen since she was released, I chock that up to my inexperience but I am curious how I can tell she is doing well.
I know from reading that a good laying pattern is the answer. I am surprised at how much honey I see. I expected most of the filled out frames to be brood. I have not seen the larvae yet like the pictures on this forum show. I am planning on looking again tonight and maybe I can take some pictures. It is very possible that I am just misinterpreting what I am seeing and all is well.
How do bees behave when there is no queen? I did see a few dozen capped brood cell in the few frames I looked at Sat. but I know workers can lay drone eggs. The bees are very gentle not being aggressive at all even when I am in the hive. I have not even had them buzz my head or follow me away from the hive yet.
Any comments would be welcome. Thanks.
Bill Sneddon