[cntrdxn1]

I'm something of a newby to beekeeping. Been doing it two years now but not real successful. Last year hive beetles wiped me out. Anyway, got a call on a swarm and ran to get it, but when i got there, i accidentally brought a super instead of a hive box. So i caught it in the super. they are doing a great job pulling out comb and setting up, but its already looking a bit crowded and the queen hasn't started laying. All suggestions welcome

 

[cntrdxn1]

Hi thanks everyone. Sounds like the advice is to keep them in the super and leave them alone. Let the brood get going. That's what i thought i should do, but wasn't sure. I'm not sure i understood the suggestion on the next step. do you recommend adding another super so that it acts like a hive box, or just adding a hive box.

As to the beetles, it was the weirdest thing, and my fault. I'm not sure what happened, but one day the bees were gone and the hive was nasty and overrun with those beetles. The hive was huge and strong and full of honey. I assumed the beetles ran the bees off, but maybe they came later.

 

[cntrdxn1]

Got it thanks guys, you've been very helpful.

 

[cntrdxn1]

Thanks Beegee, I think your description is what happened to my bees. This was a huge healthy hive and they made lots of honey. I had a tray of oil under the hive but it was open to the back. I think the beetles had free access from the rear of the hive. Also, the bees tended to fly in from behind and get into the oil. Eventually the pan was full of dead bees and hive beetles. I had robbed the honey already and was leaving them alone to let them resupply. I forgot to change that tray. A few weeks later i noticed the bees on the outside of the box. My friend said they were probably hot. Then i walked out a week later, no bees, but a stinking mess full of beetles and larvae.