Problem?

[jbeeman]

I am new to bee keeping and recently noticed a hive were the bee numbers started to drop in a few days. I inspected to find no eggs, larva, capped cells at all. In their place was a substance almost like pollen/honey? If there is no queen will they keep bringing bee bread or should these cells be cleaned? We know we have a queen promblem. Just wondering if anyone know of any disease it might be. I do not think it is any type of foulbrood, but not sure. Thanks for your time.

[Robert Brenchley]

I've seen them do this. The books will tell you that broodless bees will stop bring ing in pollen, but I've had hives fill the broodnest upwith pollen and honey under these circumstances. It probably depends on the strain.

[tarheit]

I've also seen them do this on many occations. Sometimes they pack the brood nest pretty good with pollen and honey. Perhaps this is done in anticipation of a new queen being raised/mated (even if they aren't successful)