confused

[nkhd1]

:scratch:FIrst hive i got I finally found queen and lots of eggs about three weeks in - I think hte hive had swarmed before i had gotten it. The next week I could not find new eggs or queen. What gives? It is an old hive would they have a egg laying cycle?

Picked up a second hive from the same location. Full hive. Could not find queen or eggs in it either. It has a lot of bees (approx coffee can full) hanging on the outside of the hive. - why do they do this?

Thanks

[Ross]

The 2nd hive sounds swarmy. They may have just swarmed and be waiting on a queen to hatch or mate. First hive could have swarmed a second time, but not usually after the queen is laying. Look again for eggs.