New Bee Questions

SaraHoward · Post by **SaraHoward** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 6:02 pm

Hello, all. I received my package on Saturday and the installation went very well. I was so pleased, and I can credit that to the great class that you guys put on! My bees are busy gathering pollen, nectar and drawing comb.

I do have a couple of questions...

1. I went to remove the queen cage today, and she was still inside. The candy wasn't even touched, so I uncorked the other end and was enticing her out. I think she went into the hive, but not sure. When should I check to see if she is laying or if she is missing?

2. I think my colony is having some robbing issues. I am using a hive top feeder, and it seems to be dribbling out the corners of the hive, even though it's not completely full. When I went to the hive today, the bees sounded P.O.'d!! There were little struggles around the entrance, and I assume that means that there are intruder bees trying to horn in.

Should I abandon the feeder and use baggies? Or is there a way to prevent the dribbles?

Thanks so much for your help!! I am very excited about my new bay-beez, and am looking forward to getting my second package next week.

Sara

Post by **Wally** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 6:10 pm

1. Two days is pushing it for a queen release. I hope they accept her. You can check for eggs in 7 days. I don't recommend disturbing them before that.

2. I would remove the feeder for two days, then return it with a minimum amount of sugar water in it. Try to find the leaks and patch them with silicone caulking.

SaraHoward · Post by **SaraHoward** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 6:56 pm

Oh, no!!

I thought I was doing the right thing with the queen. My books said to check to see that she was out in two to three days!! Well...I am a noob. I guess if I mess up, it's going to be a big mess up.

Thanks for the advice on the feeder. I'll try to remove it tomorrow.

Thanks, also for the quick response, Wally.

Sara

Kurt Bower · Post by **Kurt Bower** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 7:10 pm

I would agree with Wally about the 2 day release under normal circumstances.
Fortunately for you, you installed a package. The package was probably made a day ahead of time and they were in transit for a day. Thus your queen already had 2 days of face and pheremone time with the gals in the package. Most likely if she crawled out of the cage and down in she is OK.
I would have been concerned if you had seen balling.

Kurt

SaraHoward · Post by **SaraHoward** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 7:34 pm

Thanks, Kurt. I will leave it be till this weekend. I'll open up the hive on Sunday and see what's what. Do you have advice if she is gone? Order a new queen?

Sara

Post by **Wally** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 7:41 pm

I'm not Kurt, but Yes, if you can find someone who has one available. Otherwise, find someone who have a couple frames of eggs and brood they will give or sell you. They can raise a queen from eggs, but would benefit greatly from a couple frames of brood emerging while doing so, as the package bees will be aging during the time.

As Kurt said, you will likely be ok since the queen had a day or two in transit. It was still releasing her at a minimum, tho, so I wouldn't suggest doing it regularly.

SaraHoward · Post by **SaraHoward** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 7:52 pm

Thanks, Wally! Don't worry, once burned, twice shy. I will know better with my next package.

I will check in and see what I find on Sunday. Then order a queen if necessary. How would I find out about getting some brood/egg comb? Post here?

Thanks for answering all my newbie questions.

It is a huge help.

Sara

Post by **Wally** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:32 pm

Yes, post here.
Also, my number is 336-302-2708. If you can't find any, maybe I can.
If you will check them Fri. before 10:30 AM and call me with the results, I may have some brood for you. I am removing a hive from an apartment on the south side of Greensboro then.

SaraHoward · Post by **SaraHoward** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 11:39 pm

Thanks, Wally! I will do that. I appreciate your help.

Sara

SaraHoward · Post by **SaraHoward** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 9:04 am

Yeah! I checked on the bees this morning. There is drawn comb, and I see eggs!!

I closed the hive back up, and will check on them next week when I install my second package in my other hive.

Thank you guys for helping me! I'm sure I will have other questions as time goes on, but it's nice to know there is this great resource online!! Good luck everyone with your colonies this spring...

Sara

Post by **Wally** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 7:55 pm

Great news. We will be here when needed. Hope you also post regularly just to help us keep the forum alive.