Queen dead, don't know what to do.

[sandesoils]

Can anyone help? One of my 2 hives has brought their queen out – dead, this afternoon. It’s cool here now, 70 degrees during the day (southern CA, San Bernardino Valley) and 35-40 at night. There is very little information around about beekeeping in the desert southwest, and I don’t know anyone who keeps bees here yet, as I’m new around here.
I plan on going through the hive tomorrow morning, to look for another queen, and inspect the hive for disease, beetles, and moths. Even if they have made a queen, what are the chances that she has been able to mate - this late in the season?
I’m wondering what I should do? If no queen is found, should I combine this hive with the other, using the newspaper method? I just can’t let them die. Thank you for any help. -Sande

[Michael Bush]

It is possible there were already two laying queens and they disposed of one of them. I would not assume they are queenless, I'd look for a queen. If they have one, then I'd take a close look in the spring and make sure she's not laying drones. If she is, I'd replace her quickly.

[RayMarler]

I agree with Michael, is quite possible you had a 2 queen hive. Check in the morning for a queen, if you have one is good, check for eggs. If no eggs, check again in a week.

If you don't see a queen, check it again in a week, and look for eggs. If you still don't see a queen, or eggs, then combine it with a stronger hive if you have one.