I am new to beekeeping and I am so happy to have found this Forum. I learn so much every day from reading the back posts.
I bought one GA package of bees last April, had troubles with the queen that came with them, she was putting out low number of eggs and poor laying pattern. In June I bought a Vermont raised queen and she has just been super. Because of the timeline setback and my wish to secure the colony through the winter I took no honey this past season. The girls are still in there, very few bees dropping to the screen. I can hear them. It's only January and I am still hoping it wont end in tears; I am more hopeful they will make it through to spring. I have to thank the folks at Monadnock Beekeepers club for their knowledge and support. Cheers!