Hive Check : squished beetle and drone cells

I went into both hives today. Lighting the smoker is still an issue for me, I’m going to have to get organized and have paper and untreated twine on hand to help out.  I tried using just leaves but the wouldn't light and then I tried adding paper but the paper wouldn't light.  I did get smoke but it didn't last long and it was thin.

My nuc colony was abuzz with action and the second super was nearly full so I put the third super on top like I planned to do. There are still queen cups on several frames and I couldn't see inside them well enough to find out if there is anything in them.  Are they thinking of swarming?  I am trying not to panic, bees have been at this longer than I have, but I have this insatiable desire to know what's going to happen with my hives! 

My package colony isn’t doing as well and I’m sure that there is a problem with the queen. I also saw a hive beetle on the inner cover so I knocked it off and squished it.  There are drone cells all over most of the middle frames and the pattern of open and capped cells is haphazard.  I could have a drone laying queen or I could have a colony of laying workers.

Amendment 8-10-10 The beetles that I have been seeing are NOT the dreaded hive beetle.  Those guys are domed and have antennae with bulbs on the ends.  The beetles I have been seeing are super fast but they are brown and elongated.