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I have what I am sure is a Chinese Tallow tree at the edge of the woods, about 75 ft from the hive...make that 3 big trees and at least 3 or 4 smaller ones. I've been watching one for the last week and today I see Honey Bees on it. After reading they were invasive I started looking and found the others. The trees are so thick around us it is hard to spot them and walking in the woods after rain means wading thru muck......no gators....but lots of snakes. Not real happy that they are an invasive species but happy for the bees. Also have lots of another invasive species around us...Pepper Bush. But they won't bloom for a while yet. I think I have a Sabal Palm starting a bloom and there are many of those and Cabbage Palms around us.

This is my first year, lol first month actually, of beekeeping.  I've been reading and researching but nothing prepares you for actually having.  I installed my nuc May 12.  I did a quick look as I was hiving them because it was chilly and windy that day.  I'm running 10 frames and when I looked at them a week later they hadn't even begun to build on the new frames but did have a frame partially built but nothing in it.  SO, trying to avoid many new bee mistakes I'm trying not to open the hive too much so I've been observing from the outside.  What I see is some foragers coming back loaded with pollen.  Does this mean that there are new bees being fed inside?
My eyesight isn't all that great so when looking at the frames I only noticed a couple in the larvea stage and the frame that the queen was on was so chock full of bees I couldn't see anything.  I will get a magnifying glass in addition to my readers and have just ordered a brush so maybe next time I can swipe some of them away and get a really good look.  Plus I am going to bring my camera so I can look long and hard from my computer screen.
Thank you for your advice.

I thought about queen excluder but was told that if they are going to abscond it doesn't have to be with the queen. SO I figured I'd lock her up a tad longer instead. I'll release her tomorrow at 9:30AM that's 2 1/2 days in the hive plus shipping time... Along with however long it takes them to eat the candy.

Just went out, stupid sugar ants (Or that's how I know them) little small black ants. I put some cinnamon down around the blocks along with DE.

Hives look active as can be. So freaking happy! Been so paranoid from last weeks episode.

thanks for the replies. Lifted my spirit reading them.

You could try using a queen excluder as an "includer" until the queen is laying.

All I know is that my bees do well without chem treatments
And produce more honey than the store bought bees that
Work in this area. 

Finn. 
Can't speak for Europe or Canada or any other place
You mentioned and be accurate.  ( since I'm not there)

Somehow I don't think the info from other countries
And colder climates will translate to my area.   
But since I'm not a pro like some others I will take my
Little treatment free bees and work them as I know how.

All that us unknowing beeks can do. 
Bailey

I agree with moots. Let them really get to know their queen before releasing her...
If you are in a strong flow right now, they will probably ignore the syrup. Good luck with ya ladies and hopefully they wont abscond like the previous ones...

I am of the same opinion of everyone else... Side to side is more critical. I had leveled mine front to back also but water woud get into the hives and just sit there... Not good being there is no protection for inside of the hive; i.e. Primer, paint, etc...  I put a 3/4 piece of wood on the backside to slope mine forward.... Good luck with the scaffolding --- you will have a use for it in the future--- Getting the honey supers on and off...

 

Wash out the remaining nectar with a hose, let it dry and start saving the wax for when you have enough to melt it down.
Jim

...

Second suggestion... Wear shoes when working the bees.   

AND SOCKS!  I speak from experience.  Lol