Artificial Swarm question.

[planbee]

If a colony is divided, to make an artificial swarm, but before the queenless section can go very far down the queen making route, say after 24/48 hours, a queen is introduced, [via an introduction cage], will they accept her, in theory, at least, and abandon their attempts?

John

 

[gavin]

I'd have thought that if they don't kill her then you will be at risk of losing her in a swarm unless you take precautions.

Making the colony hopelessly queenless by removing all Q cells now and again in maybe 6 days before introducing a new queen ought to do it.

If the queen is available too soon, maybe you could split off a nuc (checked for Q cells) alongside to accept the queen first.

G.

 

[planbee]

Thanks Gavin,

I was thinking aloud, really, I didn't have the intention of doing it.

Wouldn't mind making a nuc though - thinking ahead towards the Winter, it would be nice to go into that season with some spare capacity, just in case.

I'll read it up.

John