can't find queen

[trapperbob]

 I'm sure everyone has heard this before but since I hived my bees on the the 21rst of april the only time I've seen my queen was when I took the candy out and turned her loose. Not that I'm complaining cause there is all kinds of brood. As a matter of fact I put the second deep on today because the brood chamber was filled completly with comb and half full of brood and still many eggs and larva on the rest. I just wish that I could see her once in a while. If I can't find her now what am I going to do when there are many more bees to deal with and what happens when I will want to requeen someday. Just needed to vent a little. Maybe she will appear one day.

[Kathyp]

in my second year now of beekeeping, i have seen the queen in the cage, and twice in the hive.  i don't even look for her.  i'd rather not find her.  i hope she is somewhere else while i am messing with the hive.  if i find eggs, larvae, and brood, we are good.  it's fun to find her and nothing wrong with it.  it's just that there is nothing wrong with not finding her if all else is well.

when the time comes that you want to requeen, you can be aggressive about looking for her and it won't matter if you hurt or kill her.

[doak]

I know it's nice to see the queen, but, if you have eggs and brood, be patiant. You will see her when it is least expected. Just make sure you put on extra boxes when needed whether brood or honey boxes.
Do an inspection every 7 to 10 days and let them do their thing. For every one day you disturb them it sets them back 2 or 3 days,
doak

[Michael Bush]

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesqueenspotting.htm