Swarms - Qieens not laying eggs

[leechmann]

I caught 2 swarms. The first one was about 10 days ago. It was a ball of bees as big as a basketball, in a small tree. I brought them home and they are really packing the honey away. I have inspected the hive twice. The first time I spotted the queen. I looked again today, I couldn't locate the queen, but there are alot of bees in there. Anyway, I am concerned that I'm not seeing any eggs or larve.

The second swarm I caught was also pretty good size. The bees have taken to their new home, but again, I can't see any eggs or larve. This swarm was caught and put in the hive box about 5 days ago. Is it too early to expect to see eggs, or do you think somethings up. Any suggestion would be apprectiated.

If I end up being without a laying queen, what would be the best option for these hives?

Thanks again, Leechmann.

[Kathyp]

in hive one, you should be seeing something.  a swarm that size in a good flow will probably need more than one box.  before the queen gets going well, a large swarm has time to clog the hive with honey.  were you using drawn foundation, or did they have to draw it out?  what is your flow like?  i would not suspect a swarm because a newly hived swarm that swarms again, usually absconds and there isn't much left.  another possibility is that the swarm had a virgin queen.  they take longer to get going.

in the second, give them more time.  i hived one 7 days ago.  i just saw eggs yesterday.  this was on starter strips, so they were drawing out as they were storing and she began laying.  in 7 days, they have packed in a remarkable among of nectar. fortunately for me, they were not basketball size!  check that one again in a few days.  eggs can be very hard to see. 

[leechmann]

Thanks for your reply Kathy. The hives are both in boxes with drawn comb. They are both really getting after the nector and packing it away. I have both hives starting with 2 deeps. How many days does it take for the egg to hatch into a larva? It looks like the bees are very satified with thier new home, as they have really been cleaning it out and packing the nector away.