Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: JayC on May 19, 2009, 09:04:18 pm

Title: Nervous Noob / Are My Bees Doomed?
Post by: JayC on May 19, 2009, 09:04:18 pm

So, hopefully someone will be able to give me the answer I want.  I hived a package 6 days ago.  I took the queen cage out about three days later.  No sign of the queen in it, and they were waxing it to a frame.  Checked again today.  The bees are flying in and out like crazy.  There appear to be a few in the hive with pollen.  I couldn't find the queen or any eggs or brood.  I'm hoping it's just because I'm a noob and missed the queen, and that the brood are just a lot smaller than I think they'd be.  The bees are building cells, they've got three medium frames partially filled in.  It looks like there might be pollen, or some other yellow/orange stuff up against the back of a few cells.  No capped cells, but I think it's too early for that anyway.  I'm afraid I've lost my queen.  What I really want to hear is that if they're bringing in pollen, then they must have brood, and that it's way too early for a laying worker situation.  The bees are calm, so I'm hoping they still have the queen and that I just missed her. 

Title: Re: Nervous Noob / Are My Bees Doomed?
Post by: Kathyp on May 19, 2009, 09:07:14 pm

no doubt she's in there and just slow in getting started.  there may be eggs that you missed.  they are very hard to see.  be patient.  check again in a week.  take a deep breath..... :-D

Title: Re: Nervous Noob / Are My Bees Doomed?
Post by: Rex on May 19, 2009, 09:40:46 pm

Last year (my first year) it was almost three weeks before I saw any recognizable brood in one of my hives.

Title: Re: Nervous Noob / Are My Bees Doomed?
Post by: troutstalker2 on May 19, 2009, 09:44:17 pm

  Patience grasshopper, you will be rewarded


 David

Title: Re: Nervous Noob / Are My Bees Doomed?
Post by: Shawn on May 19, 2009, 09:53:45 pm

I put my package in April 28, 2009 and have not seen the queen since, she is even marked and clipped. I know she is there somewhere because there were some larvae. Im sure she is just hiding to make your worry.

Title: Re: Nervous Noob / Are My Bees Doomed?
Post by: iddee on May 19, 2009, 10:20:18 pm

Your hive is doomed. The only bee in it now that will be alive at the end of this year is the queen.   :-D

After 6 days, you can't expect to see much. After another 6 you may see some small larva. After 3 weeks, you will see what is really happening, and my guess is it will be a few frames of brood. Be patient.

Title: Re: Nervous Noob / Are My Bees Doomed?
Post by: SgtMaj on May 19, 2009, 10:42:15 pm

I can say with certainty that all save maybe one of the bees in that hive right now will definately be dead within about 50 days.  It's ok though... there will be new bees to take their place, so don't fret and enjoy your bees.   :D