To queen or not to queen?

[Wes Sapp]

I’m new to the forum and the world of beekeeping and I’m looking for advice. I started a hive late last August that maybe queenless (QL) now. I inspected the hive 3 weeks ago and found queen cells on a frame. I started destroying the cells as I found them. After inspecting all frames it hit me there were no eggs or larva just capped brood. I went back and looked for my marked queen and couldn’t find her. Two weeks later and no eggs or larva I thought I must be QL. Then I read a thread posted by Zoot on 6/06. Now I’m not sure. Today is three weeks since noticing. I plan to check for eggs today. I just got a new queen today. Should I go ahead and start the intro process or give it one more week?

[Understudy]

If you have the queen and there isn't brood in the hive. Put the new queen to work.

Sincerley,
Brendhan

[Wes Sapp]

Thanks for the reply Brendhan.
I did intro the queen this afternoon. How long should I give them before checking to see if the queen was released?

[Understudy]

If you didn't do a direct release I would check in 24 hours. If they haven't killed her by then and they are gathering around the queen cage just do a direct release.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[Michael Bush]

If you are doing a candy release, I'd come back in four days and see if she's out.  If you left the cork in, I'd come back in four days and release her.  That seems to have the highest rate of acceptance.  But they sometimes accept her much sooner.

[Understudy]

Michael,

The reason I recommended 24 hours vs. four days is because they have not had a laying queen for 2 weeks.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[Wes Sapp]

I did the candy release. But I think I will give it at least 3 days because I can't get another queen until the end of April if they don't except this one.

[Michael Bush]

>The reason I recommended 24 hours vs. four days is because they have not had a laying queen for 2 weeks.

I understand.  And it may go fine.  Four days is just a better bet.