If Drones are visiting the hive. . .

[DuaneB]

  I have a hive, that upon inspection yesterday, didn't show signs of a queen.  Today, I observed Drones flying in  and out of the hive.  Would that indicate the presence of a queen? 

Thanks

[Aroc]

Not necessarily.  The drones flying in and out are in all likelihood drones that emerged from that hive and are simply doing what drones do.

The only way you can really tell if you are queenless or not is to check inside and see for yourself.  If you can?t see her at least look for eggs.

It?s really hard to tell what is going on inside a hive simply by observations made outside.

[beepro]

Drones will not indicate a queen right hive.  The only way to make sure is to do a hive
check to find her.  Hopefully she is there if not give it a new mated queen.

[BeeMaster2]

During Beefest 2018 we inspected a top bar hive that, at first looked like it was swarming when we walked up to it. Then we realized that they were not workers but drones. Apparently there was a drone congratulation area real close by and the drones decided to use this hive instead of flying all the way back to their hives.
By the way we did find the queen but she had nothing to do with the drones. They just wanted to bee fed.
Jim

[Michael Bush]

>Would that indicate the presence of a queen? 

It means you have drones... If a lot of drones are hanging out in one hive and not in other hives, I would look for evidence of a queen.  Drones are tolerated more in queenless colonies.

[DuaneB]

Thanks for all he info.

I'll be looking into the, seemingly, queenless hive this weekend.  If there is evidence of a queen, great.  If not, I'll move a frame of eggs over from the other hive that is doing very well.  May have to split that one soon.