[Ben Brewcat]

OK I thought this year, since I'm not in the honey production business, I'd just let colonies swarm if they want to and save the work. BAD idea/timing! I got 5 NWCs today and while out making nucs for them, noted two separate colonies with a cluster under the SBB. Yep, each has an unmarked queen. One was likely a returning virgin, but the other was a swarm I'd hived up a week ago. I KNOW she was inside then. What the...?

Additionally, the returning-virgin colony had one frame of eggs! (though I didn't see a queen in it). The colony next door was queenless, only old cells... maybe their virgin returned to the wrong colony and hid underneath?

Jeez, just when I think I might be getting the hang of bee behavior. Anyone seen this?

 

[CentralPAguy]

Last year, I had one hive that was SBB which had a swarm land under it. This year, I had two. I have my SBB sitting on concrete Blocks, which sits 16 inches above the ground. One had even started drawing wax.