6 swarm cells - eggs but no Royal Jelly...options?

[RichardK]

I'm in a bit of an awkward situation and could do with some advice. Very early this Wednesday morning (10th April) I leave for 10 days and so I did a thorough inspection today. It's a fairly packed hive on 9.5 frames of brood (Dadant) with 1 super around 70% full (I'm in France). I found 6 or 7 charged queen cells, one had maybe a pinprick of royal jelly with it, the other just the egg & no jelly.

Bearing in mind I go away for 10 days with nobody who can monitor them for me, what are my options here? My initial thought is to take out 3 brood frames and replace with foundation and then keep my fingers crossed that they're still there on my return?!

 

[Swarm]

Removing the brood frames should halt their plans and buy you some time, maybe even add another box.

 

[RichardK]

Thanks for that Steve. Do you think removing 3 frames is enough, or should I go for more?

 

[Swarm]

I think three would be enough but obviously there are no guarantees with bees.

 

[ericbeaumont]

take out 3 brood frames

What would you do with them? Shame to waste.

I would split vertically: Q on her frame in the bottom box + flyers, QCs and the rest above a split board; sort out when you return. If you weaken the brood and it isn't enough, a swarm will go before you return on day 10.