:shock: Went out to look for queeny on Saurday. When I get there and opened up the hive they were ALL up in the top where all of the last year's leftover honey was. There was approx as many bees as where in a 3 lb pkg. Anyway about 2 weeks ago I put then all in the lower part of the hive(where they should be) and Satuday they were all back up in the top. What gives? Oh and I don't think that I ever did find queeny(didn't see any eggs of brood either). Should I gas 'em and start over w/ a fresh pkg of just re-queen?
Bees store honey above brood. They are living in the honey area right now. As they store honey, they will move the brood down. They are not going to leave the brood area if you just dump them in the bottom box. How does the brood look with such low numbers?
Were there any bees in the bottom box, was it back filled, brood? I like to see the queen but seeing brood can say enough. Could they have swarmed? a virgin queen? Need more detail, gas them? no!