May 3: Queen Cells

5/3
Damage: 3 stings (2 on left ear and one on cheek)

Been a cold and rainy week. Rained all morning and finally sunny about 60 degrees at 3:30 pm. Probably should have waited until later but too curious about the status of the Italians. Opened Russians first and they were really outraged! Guard bees swarming my head. Got the smoker out quickly. Used a bit of paper towel to get the cedar chips burning. These bees are much angrier than the ones I had last year! Saw lots of larvae!! About 50% full.

See no eggs in Italian hive. There are 5 or 6 queen cells on both sides of one frame. Couple queen larvae exposed. Expected the battle to be over by now and to see eggs. Just read on forum that might take more than 7 days. Getting nervous about whether I need to buy a new queen. Was hoping nature would take its course. (Picture from the web.)