A few ?'s about the queen

[Frantz]

Ok, so I have this OB hive, they have raised a queen she seems to be doing ok. After about 5 days old, now they are starting to attend to her. She has about 15 or so around her, facing her and seemingly attending to her. Does this mean that she has probably taken her mating flight and now is mated? Watching her earlier today. I watched her inspecting cells, and even watched her drop her abdomen into one of them. Looked like she was laying an egg, but watched her for a good 20 mins after that and that one time was the only time she dropped in. Soooo, just wondering... Let me know of your thoughts.
Also, another question. Doesn't seem to be many drones. Will she attract other drones from other hives in the area when she mates or are they usually just from her hive??
Thanks
F

[Moonshae]

It takes them a while to get laying once they've mated, plus, they like the dark. Keep an eye on her, though. Drones drift quite a bit, but they'll probably raise more drones in the hive than will end up drifting there.

[Frantz]

So at this point, her dropping her belly is just practice right?? At least she is being attended too. that is a good sign.
F

[JP]

So at this point, her dropping her belly is just practice right?? At least she is being attended too. that is a good sign.
F

Usually the bees pretty much ignore a virgin queen so I would say she's mated and you saw her laying. Like Moonshae said it takes them a little while to figure out how the plumbing works.


...JP

[annette]

That is what I read also. The virgins are ignored (unlike the human species!!!). The mated ones get all the attention.

[JP]

That is what I read also. The virgins are ignored (unlike the human species!!!). The mated ones get all the attention.

I don't know about that, them virgins can get us drones in lots of hot water, not me of course!! :-D


...JP