How many eggs/larvae needed when testing for the presence of a queen.

[user 20297]

As above; is it necessary to put in a whole frame of eggs and larvae when testing for the presence of a queen, or can you remove just a section of comb and fit that into an existing frame in the suspect hive? If so, how much? 50mm square or what? I don't want to weaken the QR spilt more than necessary just now. Thank you for any replies.

 

[pargyle]

Yes you can just graft a bit of comb with eggs on it into a frame of comb in the colony you think is queenless. I use a square cookie cutter about 50mm square to cut a section out ... although you could get artistic if you wanted ...

 

[E&MBees]

I have just done that recently, ‘cut and paste’. Removed a section of brood frame containing eggs from my main colony and added it to a possibly q- nuc. Going to check on it tomorrow. It was about 10x10cm.

 

[user 819]

What ever you feel may be the easiest option and best option for the donor colony, personally by the time I faff at the donor hive and then faff at the recipient hive it is simpler to just extract and insert a whole frame. No extra tools or prep needed just a simple quick in/out.

 

[user 20297]

What ever you feel may be the easiest option and best option for the donor colony, personally by the time I faff at the donor hive and then faff at the recipient hive it is simpler to just extract and insert a whole frame. No extra tools or prep needed just a simple quick in/out.

I like a bit of faff on occasion...but thank-you for the help.

 

[user 20297]

Yes you can just graft a bit of comb with eggs on it into a frame of comb in the colony you think is queenless. I use a square cookie cutter about 50mm square to cut a section out ... although you could get artistic if you wanted ...

thank-you, I'll raid the drawer in the morning and see what I can sneak out,

 

[Erichalfbee]

Or you can take a whole frame. Leave it in for three days then put it back where it came from

 

[rolande]

Just graft a few larvae into cell cups and then push them into one of the combs, or of course, you can graft straight into the recipient comb. No faff just a couple of seconds.
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But whatever route you choose if you're only transferring a very small number don't bother with eggs - if they're Queenless their instinct is to want larvae to work on, eggs are as likely or not going to be a snack or just thrown out.

 

[E&MBees]

Following on from the comb transfer that I did last weekend, the bees have raised 6 queen cells. Need to decide which ones to remove now.