Starting a New Queen

[Steel Tiger]

 The queen from a package disappeared. Although there was no signs of eggs, 4 capped queen cells showed up. They were on a single frame, 3 on one side, one on the other.

Taking advice from this forum, I let it play out to see if I would get a queen. After a couple weeks, the queen cells were torn down and the brood frames were being filled with nectar.
Knowing that the population of bees will be dwindling soon, I bought a queen and put her in. It took them about 5 days to release her. I removed the queen cage yesterday and checked 3 frames. The nectar was removed from a couple of the frames and there appears to be eggs, but the wax is pretty new and it was hard to really tell if it was eggs or a shiny spot. I'll check in a week and bring a camera, like I should have done yesterday.

There also appears to be robbing going on. The entrance was already reduced so I placed some small stones around it to change it a little and make it a bit smaller.

Hopefully the bees that came in the package will survive long enough to get the next generation going.

[biggraham610]

I have had similar scenarios. I always had a hive I could rob a frame from. A frame of capped brood really helps in those situations. Gives plenty of young ones quick to care for the new queens offerings. Good Luck. G

[Blacksheep]

I am doing the same thig and I wish you much luck!!