6 weeks in to Beekeeping. Completely stressed!

[Broadbottobees]

Just done my 5th ever inspection of our hive. Bees seem calm but for 3rd inspection, no sign of the queen. For the first time, I see 8-10 queen cells. Most sealed but no sign of swarming? In a panic I got rid of most (see attached photo) then realised maybe queen has gone and they need a new queen? I left 1 queen cell.
Any thoughts/ideas for this fraught newbie?

BTW tried to attach photo but couldn't figure how to do it.

 

[deemann1]

Did you see any eggs ?
How many frames brood ect

 

[Broadbottobees]

Always found it hard to see eggs. 8 frames of brood I think

 

[Erichalfbee]

What would you consider a sign of swarming?
Number one in my book is sealed queen cells.
Good job you left one.
If there are any young grubs go back in 5 days to remove more.
Then leave alone for three weeks.
Give them a couple of supers to play with

 

[Erichalfbee]

Always found it hard to see eggs. 8 frames of brood I think

A pocket bright white led torch is brilliant for egg spotting.

 

[Eyeman]

Just done my 5th ever inspection of our hive. Bees seem calm but for 3rd inspection, no sign of the queen. For the first time, I see 8-10 queen cells. Most sealed but no sign of swarming? In a panic I got rid of most (see attached photo) then realised maybe queen has gone and they need a new queen? I left 1 queen cell.
Any thoughts/ideas for this fraught newbie?

BTW tried to attach photo but couldn't figure how to do it.

Good to hear your getting stuck in!. What part of Manchester are you from?

 

[SS_Smith]

I'm still a beginner (2nd year) and tend to do things in a panic also.

I'd be worried if I thought they were going to swarm in my first year:
https://honeybeesuite.com/is-it-a-swarm-cell-or-a-supersedure-cell/

 

[MartinL]

How much room do they have?

What spare gear do you have??

 

[madasafish]

A pocket bright white led torch is brilliant for egg spotting.

+1

£3 or less ebay.

Invaluable.. makes life so much easier

 

[Beefriendly]

I must be one of the lucky ones, rarely have problems spotting eggs. A problem I've found with a few people who can't spot eggs is that they are looking at the cells straight on, rather than tilting them slightly away from you,so you can see the bottom. Bright sunlight makes it difficult though.
For many glasses for near vision are needed.

 

[enrico]

Ok, firstly don't panic. What you have done is ok.
The chances are your bees are going to or have swarmed. It is hard to tell if this has happened or is about to happen but just because it is your first year won't stop it I am afraid.
Now we have to decide what to do.
You are always going to better off with two hives rather than one in case something happens to the first so.... Do you have any spare kit?
Let us presume you have none, and you have left one queen cell.
As stated, in five days go back in and check to make sure there are no more. If your queen has gone they will be panicking more than you and will want to cover all bases. Be careful not to damage the queen cell you have left, mark the frame so you know where it is. My guess is the queen will already have left with some of your bees but this is not set in stone. So we need to rely on that queen cell for your new queen. After the five day check leave them to it to get their new queen mated and laying. Keep an eye open for any subsequent swarms in case you still have the original queen.
If you do have extra kit then consider an artificial swarm or at the least using any more queen cells as a back up.
Good luck. Just take a step back and breath.... You did ok
E

 

[manek]

As for seeing eggs, hold the frame so the sun shines into the empty-looking cells. You'll spot the eggs all right.

 

[pargyle]

Just done my 5th ever inspection of our hive. Bees seem calm but for 3rd inspection, no sign of the queen. For the first time, I see 8-10 queen cells. Most sealed but no sign of swarming? In a panic I got rid of most (see attached photo) then realised maybe queen has gone and they need a new queen? I left 1 queen cell.
Any thoughts/ideas for this fraught newbie?

BTW tried to attach photo but couldn't figure how to do it.

She's probably already gone ...

Best just hope that the one queen cell you left is a good one ... I tend to leave two and if I have a spare Nuc remove one frame with a queen cell or two on it to the Nuc along with a few bees and some stores so you have some insurance.

Nothing you can do now except let them get on with it and hope ... if there are no eggs in the hive the queen's gone and you either have to accept the queen they raise or make plans to beg or buy a laying queen. Plenty of time left to sort them out..

Don't panic.

 

[mickbees23]

Mag light as suggested is a great idea for spotting eggs. I never used to have a problem but now I am getting stigmatism in my eyes with age its getting harder to see them. Bright white torch works a treat.

You did right leaving one cell as even if the old queen was there and they swarmed at least its a recoverable situation.

Now don't get too edgy about a new queen, they usually make one so give them time.

 

[Clemcook]

Don't panic!!

I'm in my second year and have had to split my hives, either in panic like yourself because of a swarm or through choice, three times now -So far (touch wood) all my queen's have hatched and come good, sometimes I think you need to have faith in your bees and in nature. They know what they are doing

Just leave for 3 weeks then re inspect you will be surprised what you find

P.s, get spare and more spare kit

 

[Beagle23]

I'm still a beginner (2nd year) and tend to do things in a panic also.

I'd be worried if I thought they were going to swarm in my first year:
https://honeybeesuite.com/is-it-a-swarm-cell-or-a-supersedure-cell/

The third year is where it really starts to come together...or was it 23rd?