Absent Queen & Queen Cells

[Spikedog]

Took delivery of Nuc last week – vigorous colony. Unfortunately Queen has gone – no eggs today – but many Queen cells. If I can’t source a laying Queen do I knock down all but two good sized Cells? If one does emerge will the Virgin Q take out a swarm or kill the yet to emerge competitor? What is the practice in this scenario – advice most welcome. P

 

[cork beek]

Took delivery of Nuc last week – vigorous colony. Unfortunately Queen has gone – no eggs today – but many Queen cells. If I can’t source a laying Queen do I knock down all but two good sized Cells? If one does emerge will the Virgin Q take out a swarm or kill the yet to emerge competitor? What is the practice in this scenario – advice most welcome. P

Leave 2 open qcells if there are any. When the virgin queen hatches, given its a nuc, she should kill the other queen still in the cell.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Maybe you should have a think about what's happened - were the QC's sealed? you shouldn't expect to be sold a nuc on the point of swarming.

 

[Spikedog]

Thanks for advice - No Cells on purchase - Marked Queen in situ - week later no Queen some few eggs and we knocked QC's down - four days later no eggs, laying area awash with nectar and multitude of QC's open and loaded. This is a Nuc (strong). Have decided because of time factor (Finnman's post elsewhere) to merge with a weak Q right Nuc. I will stick a couple of Q cells and nurse bees in a mating Box for security should all go wrong. Fingers crossed - Thanks again P