On August 1st I noticed that the queen cells were being torn down by the worker bees. I searched the observation hive and found a queen. She must have recently hatched from her cell. I didn't see much action from her until last week. I noticed that she was starting to lay eggs. So I watched her for about 20 minutes. I could see her abdomen squeezing out an egg, but not in a cell. It fell and not sure where it went. At first I thought she had a problem, but then thought she was just a beginner at laying eggs. As I watched her, she was getting it. She would put her abdomen fully into the cell for a few seconds and then come out. With a flash light I was able to see the tiny eggs that she left in the cell. I also noticed some cells with some white jelly and upon closer inspection I could see tiny larva. All was good !!
Last night Aug 16th, I noticed the first cell being capped ! I also noticed lots and lots of larva in the cells. I could even see the larva moving.
Today there was more capped brood and I could see more larger larva. The queen is laying eggs and the hive is beginning to be built up again. It is very exciting to see a hive raise a queen from an egg and now watch the queen as she is laying the eggs. Success !
I also got a big delivery from Mann Lake today. I was waiting on some 8oz and 1 lb jars so that I could fill them with honey. I also ordered a couple cardboard NUC boxes and some "swarm lure". Next time my bees swarm I'll be using the NUC boxes and swarm lure to make catching them a little easier. Actually, it'll make it easier for my dad who always finds my swarming bees !
Caught that swarm !
My observation hive decided to swarm. I climbed out into my roof and put this one into a NUC box. 5 days later, they were building out the comb and the queen was laying !
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