Opening my only remaining hive (of two alive in the fall) this weekend, I
found absolutely no brood or eggs but a good amount of bees.  The
forecast is for some possible snow in the next few days here in
central Michigan, so I am wondering what to do about requeening.
 
1.  Is it safe to assume the queen is gone or dead or do I need to do a
thorough search for a possible non-functioning queen?
 
2. How warm should it be before I introduce the new queen?
 
3.  If it's too cold when she comes how long can I keep her just
giving her water (and/or syrup...?) through her cage screen?
 
4.  Does it make any sense at all to wait for generally warmer weather to
order a new queen?  No laying workers .... yet.
 
5.  Why and how did this happen?  Any ideas?
 
Any other suggestions or thoughts of course would be welcome.  I just
don't want to lose this good bunch of bees that have made it this far into
spring.  I am leaning toward trying a New World Carniolan from California
for this requeening.  Any reason not to?  Too far to ship?  Possible better
acceptance of another strain?
 
Thanks for any help offered,
Alden Leatherman
 
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