I wound up with a queenless hive (see: I think I am queenless! (http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,22643.0.html)) and introduced a purchased Carniolan queen on Monday around noon. Today I went out to see if the queen was released. The queen cage had a very large candy tube in it, unlike the queen cages that came with my packages that I just popped the cork and inserted a marshmellow. I was told by the seller that at 3 days I should see if she has been released, if not drop a little honey down the tube on the candy to quicken the bees eatting of the candy.
Anyway, the candy was all gone so I began to remove the cage, however when I did I noticed amongst all the bees that were in the cage, the queen was still there. Bees were coming and going from the cage. So, I slid the cage back inbetween the two frames it was hung between and as I did, out came the queen and she went right down onto the brood comb disappearing from my sight.
So, my question is (yes, I'm a nervous dad after loosing 2 of my 8 hives due to absconding and then this one going queenless)... the fact that bees were coming and going from the queen cage plus the queen going down onto the comb, does that mean my hive has accepted her? Please say yes :-D
Jeremy
Jeremy -- all sounds good to me. I would only be concerned if bees were balling up / harassing her. But sounds like they are attending her, etc.
Going in and out of cage with her in it ---- sounds good. You probably just happened to be there at just the right time to see her still in the cage (well you know what I mean anyway :-D).
You could have pulled the frame carefully and observed her!
If she walked away, your OK!
I normally do my hive inspections on Saturday, is it OK to do a normal inspection this Saturday on this hive? I'm really anxious to see some new eggs :-D
Jeremy