Short Story:
Felt like my bees were just hell bent on swarming for some reason, felt like a daily occurrence (exaggerating) So today, off they go way up in a tree. This hive had a primary swarm last week of April, lots of queen cells, but still no laying queen! I think every queen that emerged took off.
Well today I figured it out. The honey super (which was too much space for them I realize now) was completely empty, not a single bee. When I popped the lid, a yellow jacket flew out. Lo and behold, there is a yellow jacket nest getting started above the inner cover. The inner cover was stuck to the underside of the lid, so that is how I missed it for so long I think.
Gave them a frame of eggs, but they are not in good shape atm.
Felt like my bees were just hell bent on swarming for some reason, felt like a daily occurrence (exaggerating) So today, off they go way up in a tree. This hive had a primary swarm last week of April, lots of queen cells, but still no laying queen! I think every queen that emerged took off.
Well today I figured it out. The honey super (which was too much space for them I realize now) was completely empty, not a single bee. When I popped the lid, a yellow jacket flew out. Lo and behold, there is a yellow jacket nest getting started above the inner cover. The inner cover was stuck to the underside of the lid, so that is how I missed it for so long I think.
Gave them a frame of eggs, but they are not in good shape atm.