ok...it official.

[ktbearpaws]

 I installed my first 2 packages into my TBHs yesterday.
 So I guess I am on my way to being an official beekeeper.
 I checked them to see how they were doing after work today.
 One hive seemed to be very active. I'm not to sure what they where doing, but they were buzzing all around the outside of the hive.
 The other hive had a little traffic in an out of the entrance,But a lot less active than the first hive.
 Is that "normal?"
 I also have 10 or more large black and bing cherry trees just a few yards away....And they are just loaded down with blossoms!!!
"I wonder how long it will take for them to find them?"   

[Michael Bush]

They often spend a couple of days getting organized before they start flying.

[ktbearpaws]

After reading a few of the topics on here...I'm wondering if I didn't mess up by not doing a direct release and leaving the queen cage in between two top bars....
Sure hope it don't mess up the comb....
It's only been two days.............. Think I should check?

[suprstakr]

The package bees are usualy from different hives ( lots of getting used to ) . The quiet one prob from same hive and new queen smell they are thinking . You started slow release so continue , Rome was not built in one day .

[Michael Bush]

Yes. Go release the queen and try to straighten out the mess of comb they will now have built.  The longer you wait the bigger the mess.

[ktbearpaws]

Well, I got the queen cages out without to much damage.
My first hive didnt build around it at all.....And the second one only attached to the side so I could break it off pretty easy.
I did break a comb off though and it landed in the bottom of the hive.
Not knowing what to do about it, I just left it, til I talk to some of you guys.
I was looking at all the comb in both hives. They all seemed to be filled with honey.
No brood comb! And I didn't see any eggs. Both queens was out of the cages....
Should I wait and check again?
And if so how long til I should check them again?

[RyanB]

My understanding is if there is no brood on the comb, then pull it out and put it somewhere near the entrance. The bee's will clean it out of honey and then you can melt it down.  If there is brood, try to leave it till they emerge.  If you leave it too long I am told they will attach the fallem comb to the bottom/sides. So the longer you leave it in there the more of a mess it will become.  If you are feeling frisky,  some people tie the comb back up to the top bars with cloth.

[beedad]

id just leave the comb for the bees to take care of.  as long as its not standing vertically they should veiw it as trash.  well thats what i would do if i was a bee...

[Michael Bush]

When you are in the hive anyway, I'd pull the fallen comb out.