It was 80º and partly cloudy, slightly breezy at the bee yard.
Today was the day to open up the swarm hive. A friend of mine and fellow beekeeper, Gene went with me. We found that the bees cover four frames. Also found that the bees have been storing the sugar water mix and a lot of pollen. Searched all frames and did not see any eggs or a queen. Buttoned everything up and went over to check on the Alpha & Beta hives.
Alpha Hive
On the 31st of March I put a deep hive body that only had foundation. Since that time the bees moved up from the bottom hive body and started drawing comb in the upper hive body in the middle 3 frames. Looked for eggs,larva and didn't see any.
The bees are VERY busy bringing in nectar and pollen. I checkerboarded the top hive body, to keep the bees busy and prep for the queen later this week.
Beta Hive
I was looking through the top hive body and found curing nectar and pollen everywhere. And then I found a frame with eggs!!! I believe its from a queen because its right smack in the middle bottom of the cells. I found eggs on three frames!!! So I put everything back in place and put a honey super on.
It looks like the hive has a queen!!
Since I have two queens arriving later this week I will now put one in the Alpha Hive and one in the Swarm Hive. It that works out I will have three hives at the bee yard. I am thinking of naming the swarm hive the Delta Hive.
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