Bees still bringing in loads of pollen in late September — does that prove my queen is laying?

Galway, second year, three hives. The ivy has opened along every hedge round here and the bees are absolutely flying on it — bright orange-yellow pollen loads coming into all three hives every dry hour we get, which in Galway isn't many. I haven't opened them since the Apiguard came off in early September and I'd rather not disturb them much more this year. Everyone says "pollen in = queen laying" and I want to believe it. Is that actually reliable? Or would a queenless colony still bring in pollen? I lost a hive to a failed queen in my first winter and only found out in March, so I'm a bit paranoid. Would one quick peek at a centre frame be worth the disruption?