So I'm a relative newbie and I got a package; installed them in the tbh and put the queen on the side of the topbar. When I checked the little box 3 days later I accidently knocked the little box when removing it and saw a couple of bees drop out. Now they had eaten the candy, but there was a little piece of chewed paper inside which I was concerned may have blocked some of them and there were a couple dead bees and one alive inside. None appeared to be a queen, though her body could have fallen when I bumped the box.
So then I thought that I should look at some of the comb and what I was was some liquid in the cells, but couldn't see eggs. So now while I wait a few days in hopes that the brood is being created, I am wondering if a queen lays her egg in a completely dry comb and then the worker bees put in some royal jelly, etc. or do they prepare the cell first with liquid. if the answer is the former, then maybe the liquid does house an egg. I would really appreciate any helpful ideas on this. Everytime I go into the hive I get flustered and worried that I'm interrupting and I want my bees to do their thing.
You see... this is my second year and I lost my whole hive last winter. It appears that they starved to death. I feel terrible about it and want things to go better this year. I have a lot to learn. Help is appreciated. Colleen