Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[agapetos]

Hi,
Everything has been going so fine so far (at least I thought so), up until yesterday when I noticed this:

It is located on the 5th bar, a little above the middle. It has passed exactly 27 days since I have put them in the hive. My queen was great at laying (IMO) yet... somehow this time I have failed to locate her... maybe I just can't find her now, but is it possible that she was "taken care of" by the board of bees that was unsatisfied with her work?
Should I intervene somehow or should I let the nature have its course?
Thank you for all the info.

*UPDATE*
I've forgot to mention: I have noticed a few eggs on the pale combs (I could not as easily see on the darker combs). I have noticed both larvae and eggs of all sizes. I have heard some strange sound as if some mosquito was stuck in the hive, but somehow stronger sound (could it be the quacking of the queen that some beekeepers talk about?) It would usually last for about 1-2 seconds and repeat in about 5 seconds. I have followed the sound but could not see the queen.
Also, I have seen a strange thing - about half minute after I have opened a hive, one bee took a drone, battled with him and took him over the edge of the hive. Could it be that she is starting to kill the drones or a drone from another hive. It would be strange since it is a beginning of the summer and they are maybe thinking about replacing her highness, so why throw him overboard?

[Dexter's shed]

well it does not look like either a swarm cell or an emergency cell, but maybe a supersede cell, doubtful they would knock her off until that one hatches, me personally, I'd just leave them to it

[Che Guebuddha]

That might be a play cup. Bees build those during the season but doesn't mean they will swarm. A queen cup has an egg/larvae inside so if it's empty they might destroy it.

Superseadure Cells are usually in the middle of the comb not on the edge. Swarm cells are built on the comb edge.

But then again you can never be sure with the bees.
I would not worry and would advise you to stop inspecting every week. Each time you open the hive you destroy their internal atmosphere (co2, temperature, humidity, acid fumes, pheromone scents).