I removed a queen on Sunday, as I found her, and moved the uniting colonies closer together.
So I was expecting to unite end of the week but did it today. Colonies not really quite close enough but it had to be sorted. The bees were quite busy foraging even though wet and fairly miserable weather. It had just about stopped raining.
I did not see another queen today but not a sign of any emergency cells. Saw just a few eggs and quite a lot of very young lavae, but the weather was foul, so it was not open for too long. Lots of brood in the hive but few stores. Not one of my better colonies.
Anyway, colonies together with paper between. I daresay I will finish with another nasty tempered queen instead of the more docile one I was hoping for.
So one of two things; another queen present or they realise the weather is too bad to even try! I did notice what looked like a few drone cells when I went through it Sunday and thought 'just about got this one at the right time'
Any thoughts, anyone?
Regards, RAB
So I was expecting to unite end of the week but did it today. Colonies not really quite close enough but it had to be sorted. The bees were quite busy foraging even though wet and fairly miserable weather. It had just about stopped raining.
I did not see another queen today but not a sign of any emergency cells. Saw just a few eggs and quite a lot of very young lavae, but the weather was foul, so it was not open for too long. Lots of brood in the hive but few stores. Not one of my better colonies.
Anyway, colonies together with paper between. I daresay I will finish with another nasty tempered queen instead of the more docile one I was hoping for.
So one of two things; another queen present or they realise the weather is too bad to even try! I did notice what looked like a few drone cells when I went through it Sunday and thought 'just about got this one at the right time'
Any thoughts, anyone?
Regards, RAB