I installed four new packages yesterday. I put hive top feeders on with a gallon of syrup in each. I plan to just let them be for a week so they can get settled in. Today, I did peek under the covers to see if they were feeding on the syrup. On 3 of the hives, the chicken wire ladder was filled with bees and feeding away. I was very pleased. On one of the hives, very few bees were up in the feeder. My first guess is, they absconded. Is there any reason to think otherwise? I don't want to open up the hive in case they did not abscond and are just slow to start feeding. If they really did take off, should i remove the hive, or just the frames? also, any harm, in just letting the hive be for a week until I do an inspection, or will wax moths be an issue? also, there is hive entrance activity. I'm not terribly stressed, I do have 3 other successful package installs so far plus my overwintered hive. Just wouldn't mind some opinions and advice.
thank you
todd
thank you
todd