Hey all:
 
I hope I am not laboring the readers of this list with a question about my
hive, but I am at my wit's end.
 
Earlier in the summer I thought that my hive was queenless, due to a lack of
brood, but resident beekeepers thought that they were just focusing on the
honey flow instead.  But they never moved into the honey supers.
 
I have had massive wax moth invasion, robber bee battles and ants, and still
no brood.  The colony had begun to diminish so I ordered a new queen.  It
took two weeks due to post office mishandling to receive a live queen, which
I placed in the hive.  A week later I noticed she was still caged, so I
released her.  Now a week later I see the queen is alive with attendants,
but is not laying yet.  There are only a few frames left with bees.
 
Now my question; can this queen revive this colony, or should I just begin
the process of trying to purchase a new hive?  I can't wait until spring
because my husband uses the bees to treat his arthritis.
 
I appreciate any advice, either to me or to the list is this is an
appropriate posting.  Thanks
 
Julie Brunner
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