[simplynatural]

question for all you experienced people.
picked up the nucs and delivered 2 and then hived my 3. 2 have brood of various ages and one of those 2 has 5 swarm cells on the bottom of one frame and 1 queen cell on the top of another frame. . . what do I do about all of this?

also, the 3rd nuc has no queen and no brood anywhere. Also not very many bees and only 1 frame has a tiny bit of honey in it. DH suggested I combine the weak hive with a different one - yes? Do nucs come with any guarantee - I kind of expected at least a queen and brood but this is simply a few bees and 5 plastic frames not drawn out. I was also surprise by what they call honey - my frames with honey are only medium and weigh 8-10lbs. These deeps have so little honey on 1-2 frames I wouldn't have considered it even to be food!

The hive with few bees was aggressive, and the hive producing queen cells is aggressive also - assume it is because of this. Does this mean the queen died at some point (I did not see brand new eggs laid) and they are replacing her, or does it mean they are contemplating swarming?

thank you! It is interesting to see the difference in italians - Mann Lake Italians are huge compared to these ones.

 

[burns375]

I would ask a refund or replacement on the queenless one, perhaps the swarming one too. In the nuc with the swarm cells, are they capped or open with larva? Are there alot of bees inside. The queen will shut down laying a couple days before the cells are capped, once capped she leaves.

 

[Vance G]

If this guy is local to you make him make it right. If he won't put his name out as not being reliable. You have been hosed. No excuse for what was foisted off on you! Don't be afraid to let your equipment set a year if that is your only other option to this guys garbage.