Yesterday, by chance, I checked on my new hives and observed my marked queen outside on the landing board with a lot of bees around her. Within a minute it appeared they had ushered her
back inside. The only other thing out of the ordinary I observed was that there was about 4 times more bees flying around then my other hive.
Background: I installed two three pound hives this past Wednesday. The queens were supposedly breed queens. They are installed on new 10 wax frame hives with IPM bottom board. I have a hive top feeder with sugar water and pollen patty substitute.
A friend that is a bee keeper suggested that the queen was not actually breed and went out on her mating flight and I just happened to see her return.
My question is, Is this normal and should I be concerned or just roll with it.
My second concern is that my queen has a white mark on her and I know that 2014 color is green. Any know why this might be?
Thanks in advance for your time and knowledge.
back inside. The only other thing out of the ordinary I observed was that there was about 4 times more bees flying around then my other hive.
Background: I installed two three pound hives this past Wednesday. The queens were supposedly breed queens. They are installed on new 10 wax frame hives with IPM bottom board. I have a hive top feeder with sugar water and pollen patty substitute.
A friend that is a bee keeper suggested that the queen was not actually breed and went out on her mating flight and I just happened to see her return.
My question is, Is this normal and should I be concerned or just roll with it.
My second concern is that my queen has a white mark on her and I know that 2014 color is green. Any know why this might be?
Thanks in advance for your time and knowledge.