I received 2 packages April 22nd. Here in Michigan the weather was cold, rainy and windy so I didn't install the bees until Friday the 24th. I figured that since the queen had been in the package for about 4 days I released the queens directly.
Both packages are installed in deeps with honey and pollen and empty comb. I hope to blow them up and do some splits. Thinking about Saskatraz and Carniolan queens to change over to more perhaps Winter hardy bees, and to diversify genetics.
1st one week inspection showed larvae and eggs in one hive. I also noticed pollen coming in and obviously nectar. The second hive I didn't see much pollen coming in and upon inspection found the queen wandering around on a mostly empty frame of comb. I did look at 9 of 10 frames and found no eggs nor larvae. This queen is very fat and well developed. I suspect I have an older queen and am wondering if I should replace her asap.
I am a bit encouraged that she may have started laying because in the last 2-3 days I am observing an increasing amount of pollen coming into the hive.
Obviously, if on Friday, there is no laying then I will replace her.
So my question is; How long do other beekeepers wait before replacing a queen in these circumstances? I also consider that the weather may have had some influence on her beginning to lay.
Both packages are installed in deeps with honey and pollen and empty comb. I hope to blow them up and do some splits. Thinking about Saskatraz and Carniolan queens to change over to more perhaps Winter hardy bees, and to diversify genetics.
1st one week inspection showed larvae and eggs in one hive. I also noticed pollen coming in and obviously nectar. The second hive I didn't see much pollen coming in and upon inspection found the queen wandering around on a mostly empty frame of comb. I did look at 9 of 10 frames and found no eggs nor larvae. This queen is very fat and well developed. I suspect I have an older queen and am wondering if I should replace her asap.
I am a bit encouraged that she may have started laying because in the last 2-3 days I am observing an increasing amount of pollen coming into the hive.
Obviously, if on Friday, there is no laying then I will replace her.
So my question is; How long do other beekeepers wait before replacing a queen in these circumstances? I also consider that the weather may have had some influence on her beginning to lay.