Why so many drone cells?

[mtbe]

Northern Illinois:

Put in two packages on April 15 in a Top Bar Hive.  Inspected them this weekend.  I thought I lost one queen, so on inspection, I didn't look for the queen, I just looked for evidence that she was laying.

In both hives, I noticed a lot of drone cells (bubble shaped cappings).  Seemed like there were more bubble capping than flat cappings.  Probably by 3 or 4 to 1.

How can I tell if the flat cappings are pollen stores vs eggs?

Is that usual to have more drones in the beginning?

mtbe

[Bee-Bop]

It's been less then a month, they moved into a empty apt., still are getting the furniture arranged, and looking for jobs !   :evil:

A new Queen may lay a number of Drones.

Give them another week or two, mean while join your local bee club, local advise is the best, visit your public library for some bee books.

Don't worry, enjoy

Bee-Bop

[JP]

Things will probably even out as you are just heading into spring. Early spring build up brings drone laying, its inate and happens every spring as the bees come out of wintering.

Not to worry just yet.


...JP

[Scadsobees]

If the flat cappings are only one color and are even with the tops of the cells, then that is likely worker brood.  Pollen usually only fills up 2/3 or 3/4 of the cell and are differing colors of yellow/green/brown/orange.  The bees don't cap pollen.

I agree, books from the library are great.

Rick