Hi,
After I got 2 packages in 2013, which I lost over the winter, I obtained 2 new ones on April 2, 2014 and hived them right before dusk that day (Wednesday).
Saturday, April 5, I removed the queen cages, and queens were already in the hives (assuming so, as I did not see them in each queen cage).
Sunday, April 6, and through today (when it does not rain) I see bees in both hives bringing lots of pollen in their baskets.
Is that a sure sign that queens in each hive is laying eggs, without having to open the hives to disturb the bees?
Thanks for your time.
Regards,
George
It means there is a queen in there, at least to me it does! :bee:
Try not to open the hive for 7 days. By then you should see some eggs or larvae. Then you will know if the queen has been accepted and functioning. Please remember to feed 1:1 to make up for no nectar, if the bees are bringing in lots of pollen then you probably do not need a pollen patty at this time. -Mike
I have had hopelessly queenless hives store some pollen. I have had queenless hives eat pollen sub in small amounts. Hives with infertile but laying queens will eat huge amounts of pollen sub and collect and use huge amounts of pollen. Hard fast rules can be deceiving.
If the majority of the bees are hauling pollen, you have a laying queen present.
Give them 10 days to get her brood nest going. Then you can check on them.
You'll be safe to check in this weekend. take a quick peek. If you are on drawn comb from last year you should be seeeing some brood soon.
Pollen coming in is not necessiarly the sign of a hive being queenright. Huge amount ..... I have no idea. Guess depends on definition of huge?