Hello Dan, welcome to the list I assume when you removed the queen cages, the queens were left in the hive. The cages containing queens in packages usually have to be opened by hand to release the queen (the other way is a candy plug which allows the bees to release the queen themselves, but that type is not usually used in packages because the bees could release the queen before the package arrives). Anyway, assuming the queen is in the hive, she should lay eggs within a day. Eggs are laid in a large oval patch in the centre of the area occupied by the bees In 3 days those first eggs would hatch to larvae (about the same size as the eggs), which in 5 days will grow to pearly white larvae almost filling the cells. The cells are then capped with a slightly fibrous, brown waxy cover. The eggs laid on May 8th would be in that condition now. The queen would have continued to lay eggs on subsequent days and the earlier stages should also be present. There should be brood patches at least 8 inches across by now, in the center of the central frames occupied by the bees. 3 weeks from the date eggs were laid, the bees will start to emerge from the cells, and the adult bee population will grow. Good luck Kerry Clark, Apiculture Specialist B.C. Ministry of Agriculture 1201 103 Ave Dawson Creek B.C. V1G 4J2 CANADA Tel (604) 784-2225 fax (604) 784-2299 INTERNET [log in to unmask]