Frequency of Inspections

[westawake90]

Evening all,

Thanks for all of the advice so far that i have received. Two hives are on site and going well. Just one question and it may be case of me being over anxious. On my 7 day inspection today I did not see either of my queens, there was eggs, larva and brood in the hives. My issue is that one queen is not marked and has alluded me up to now. Given the excellent weather at the moment I was tempted to check the brood box again tomorrow to see if I can see her and get her marked.

Is this a stupid thing to do and should I just wait for my next weekly inspection?

 

[ericbeaumont]

wait for my next weekly inspection?

Yes, wait and don't worry.

Provided the colonies have slightly more brood space and slightly more super space than you reckon they need, you can relax.

 

[Curly green finger's]

I agree with Eric , there is
No need to go in tomorrow to look for the queen and mark her.
As you say you saw eggs that’s more than enough to know she is there .

 

[westawake90]

Thanks everyone, put me at ease. The queen that is not marked is very elusive. If I do see queen cells next inspection is a it a matter of keeping looking for her and getting her into a Nuc?

 

[Curly green finger's]

Thanks everyone, put me at ease. The queen that is not marked is very elusive. If I do see queen cells next inspection is a it a matter of keeping looking for her and getting her into a Nuc?

If you see charged cells yes , if your running a double brood and inspect early she will 9 times out of 10 be in the top box , also if not a double I find most of my queens on the last frame or two away from which side you inspect.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Thanks everyone, put me at ease. The queen that is not marked is very elusive. If I do see queen cells next inspection is a it a matter of keeping looking for her and getting her into a Nuc?

Or...have a look at this method for artificially swarming without finding the queen
https://theapiarist.org/swarm-control-and-elusive-queens/

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I was tempted to check the brood box again tomorrow to see if I can see her and get her marked.

no real point, wait until the next inspection, as long as you know she's present, why worry/