During my last inspection on a hive two weeks ago, I noticed that there were still a low number of bees (maybe two frames full if you were to combine them all). I didn't see any eggs but there were some emerging brood. Also, I didn't see a the queen in there and stupidly let them go until today hoping that I might have missed her and if I did, that she either was new and needed to mate or the cool nights were keeping her from laying.
Today I went in, same thing, no eggs, definately no queen, some capped drone cells.
Question is, what do I need to do in order to get this hive going again? I already have a queen on order but I'm sure that there's more to it than just putting a new queen (and cage) into the hive and viola, it's done.
I would rather not combine this hive, but would like get this one back on its feet if possible.
By the way, there are workers in the hive and they are bringing in pollen and nectar, so food isn't going to be any kind of issue.
Thanks in advance.