O.K. I have a really basic question. Will a new queen breed with drones from her own hive? I would assume that once all were out flying around she wouldn't know the difference, but heaven knows I have been wrong in my assumptions before. I ask because I removed a huge hive from a house about to be torn down, late in the year here in Iowa I know, but had nothing to lose. The queen apparently bought the farm in transit, but I have seen queen cells. I don't know how many drones are out in the world here in Iowa now, but this hive has a bunch of big healthy looking guys ready to go. Thus my question.
The hive really took a hit, but has settled down, become very active and is just sucking down the sugar syrup. We are also in the middle of the goldenrod flow now.
JC