Good-evening!
I’m new to bee keeping and just recently purchased a flow hive. I’ve been researching bee keeping for about a year and a half prior to buying a flow hive and package of bees so not 100% knowledgeable on bee keeping and needing some advice/guidance.
I recently just setup my flow hive in preparation for my package of bees to be delivered at the third week of April. After I sat my flow hive up I put it outside and walked out the next day to a swarm of bees hanging on my fence next to the newly assembled flow hive. They were very interested in it and were flying in and out of the entrance. I was running late to work and didn’t have an opportunity to snap a pic. I came home that evening and made up some bee feed and sat it out by the hive and they ate and left.
Today (04/04/2023) I walk out this morning and the swarm is back hanging from my cedar fence. Made sure they had plenty of bee feed and left. I came home this evening and noticed the queen was at the entrance of the hive and went in and never came out. The swarm left again this evening but left the queen behind and no other bees with her. Does anyone know what this means? I’ve confirmed she is in there and on a bee frame with foundation.
My bees that I bought online aren’t expected to arrive until 04/17/2023 and I’m not sure if I’m going to be expecting this hive to stay or not. Any feedback/guidance is appreciated!
I’ve never heard of a swarm leaving its queen behind! She was like, nope! I’m staying here. I have to think they’ll return but who knows - this isn’t bee behavior I’ve ever heard of. If they do, I guess you’ll need another hive setup!