Okay this is the other of my first two hives, the one that got all the 'drift' of the one close to it -- this one is much stronger than the one I had asked about the other day.
Saw no new brood ( could have missed it ) there was capped brood about the size of a small plate - second time not able to find this queen but there are a good amount of bees in here.
Saw NO queen cells at all, so doesn't seem to be in a state of queenlessness.
Doesn't have a 'queenless roar' - is very calm.
I'm thinking the likelihood is that the queen IS in there --- and I am just not seeing her or her new brood. If I had accidentally killed her in the first inspection --- or she had died --- wouldn't the bees have taken steps right away and I would have seen QC's ?
They have drawn out only about 2 - 3 frames, 2 others were already drawn. I saw no brood or stores in the drawn comb--- I did see capped honey in the new comb.
I stopped feeding this hive, as well -- possibly she slowed her brood laying due to this?
Thanks for advice!
Another note, when they were first installed, first couple weeks there were tons of drones ---- wondering if they killed them all due to lack of feeding on my part? There are lots of things in bloom here now --- I think I am worried over nothing, but the fact that this is the other of the two original hives that took 2/3 of the bees I bought initially -- and the second hive is dying! --- I am a little over concerned! Don't want to lose both.
And one last thing --- every time I try to feed there is robbing that starts, vicious robbing.
Trying to avoid it, but don't want to wreck their chances.
Saw no new brood ( could have missed it ) there was capped brood about the size of a small plate - second time not able to find this queen but there are a good amount of bees in here.
Saw NO queen cells at all, so doesn't seem to be in a state of queenlessness.
Doesn't have a 'queenless roar' - is very calm.
I'm thinking the likelihood is that the queen IS in there --- and I am just not seeing her or her new brood. If I had accidentally killed her in the first inspection --- or she had died --- wouldn't the bees have taken steps right away and I would have seen QC's ?
They have drawn out only about 2 - 3 frames, 2 others were already drawn. I saw no brood or stores in the drawn comb--- I did see capped honey in the new comb.
I stopped feeding this hive, as well -- possibly she slowed her brood laying due to this?
Thanks for advice!
Another note, when they were first installed, first couple weeks there were tons of drones ---- wondering if they killed them all due to lack of feeding on my part? There are lots of things in bloom here now --- I think I am worried over nothing, but the fact that this is the other of the two original hives that took 2/3 of the bees I bought initially -- and the second hive is dying! --- I am a little over concerned! Don't want to lose both.
And one last thing --- every time I try to feed there is robbing that starts, vicious robbing.
Trying to avoid it, but don't want to wreck their chances.
