[kbenz]

1st hive (tree bees) got them early in the year. they have not done a lot. have queen but doesn't seem to be laying very strong. spotty brood pattern. they have not made much comb, no queen cells

2nd hive (6week old swarm) building like crazy. did not spot queen today, plenty of brood and larvae though. 1 queen cell

3rd hive (2 week old cut-out) no queen? brood almost all hatched out. 3 queen cells, one is open

what actions should I take, if any??

 

[Brent Bean]

First hive replace the queen, normally they would be in supersedure by now. or watch for queen cells.

Second hive set back and do nothing, get ready to add surplus supers, it’s normal that the queen will be replaced after swarming. She was the old queen from the parent colony.

Third hive, you have a virgin queen present. It will take her up to a couple of weeks to mature and mate. Then things will take off. Be prepared to add room for them to flourish

 

[kbenz]

should I just kill the queen in the first hive and let them make a new one?

 

[mike haney]

never kill a queen till you have a new one. put her in a nuc, just to be safe.
good luck,mike

 

[Brent Bean]

I agree with Mike, you could wait and see if they start supersedure, or put her in a Nuc. Or buy a queen then eliminate the old queen when the new one arrives and introduce the new one.