Hello duckies! I know, it’s been forever since I’ve updated! Life has been busy, giving me little time to edit bee videos. But I did want to give a text update on my little hive.

I added Queen Elsa on a Sunday. I checked on Wednesday and the candy cork was not gone yet, so I checked again the next Sunday. Still not gone. I talked to the woman who sold me the queen, and she said to release her by taking the marshmallow out if she doesn’t come out on her own. So I checked again the next Wednesday and she was still in there. I was worried that this meant she was not going to be accepted, but she was! When I checked on the hive the next week, she was there, with her bright red dot, ruling over the hive!

I am a little worried though because I did not see any sign of brood, but here in Maryland we are in a dearth. From what I understand, it is not uncommon for queens to stop laying for a while when food supplies get low. Because of that, I put my sugar feeder back on top of the hive and they are lapping it up.

This weekend I am going to inspect for varroa mites and small hive beetles and plan to film it. Hopefully I can give y’all a video update soon!