Ontario-Finger Lakes Beekeepers Association

Check hive this morning and one hive is full of bees. Did not see the queen but bees are packing away pollen and there is abundant capped brood, visible larvae, but did not see eggs. My feeling this hive is doing well. I have been concerned about the 2nd hive which has alot of bees too, but they are not active and I could find no queen or any evidence of eggs, larvae or capped brood. I am assuming the hive is queenless. My options would be to requeen by:
1. ordering a queen ... but that would take too long.
2. removing 2-4 frames of brood from the strong hive and letting the queenless hive raise a new queen.
3. reduce the queenless hive to one brood box and combining it with the strong hive.

I am thinking that option 3 would be best way to resolve my queenless hive.

Anyone agree or have another constructive suggestions for my situation?

Did you see any queen cells in your queenless hive. The only thing you can do now is give the queen plenty of room to lay eggs in your strong hive and put on a honey super. if you think your weak hive is queenless. I would sit back and wait and see if that hive can make a new queen. late april early June you should Be able to find a local queen to do a split.

Gerry, just curious about your choice of option and the outcome. Can you share?