Interesting observation or not?

[einsteinagogo]

I've never seen this colony of any other colony do this, but in the past three days I've noticed the bees, clustering at the entrance, bees do come and leave the entrance, but these remain put, and in all weathers, it was raining and windy this morning, and I'm surprised they were not all in the hive.

any comments, as to what they are up to.

At present, this is Day 8 after swarm left (last Thursday), or failed attempt, as neighbour reported they went back to hive, but no eggs, no queen, only QCs left. (they were a lot of bees, attached to front of hive, when I returned, that seem to go back into hive eventually, and did not fly off).

Anyway its just unusual, I've not seen this behavior before, it could be very common, just a newbie, has not seen it (e.g. me!).

I also need to check, that today, I noticed bees coming and returning to under the open mesh floor at the rear of the hive, which I've never seen, as I inspect from the back of the hive, I've never noticed any bees in quantity around the rear.

I've read reports of swarms and queen returning to hive, and going under floor, so must check this with a torch.

 

[Heather]

Could be v queen out and about joining the 800 ft club.
Did you remove all Q cells but one...they may be thinking of cast swarms too. Nip it in the bud.

 

[einsteinagogo]

Could be v queen out and about joining the 800 ft club.
Did you remove all Q cells but one...they may be thinking of cast swarms too. Nip it in the bud.

Heather

Thanks for reply. Would the v queen be out in rain, wind, and 8 degrees C?

The weather is looking grimm, for the next three days with temperature drops, frost forecast over the weekend, temps no above 10 degrees C, until Monday next week, possibly 15 deg C.

Not looking good mating flights..... is it too early in the year for mating flights?

at the last inspection on Sat, I did remove all queen cells apart from one, but I've not been able to get to the hive since for a full inspection, and inspect for anymore as they become very aggressive!

tried again last night before today, and abandoned!

See this thread

 

[oliver90owner]

Waiting to go with the first queen out, I would think, if the queen got lost at the first attempt and there were any larvae young enough to draw into queen cells. Nothing new; just as would happen with a clipped queen followed by no action.

Look for any 'lost' queen under the OMF is my initial suggestion, then check for other queen cells. Pronto.

 

[lorrick]

I have a V/Q hatching out within the next couple of days, so I think it is never to early for a mating flight, but it will depend on the weather whether it is successful or not.

 

[einsteinagogo]

Waiting to go with the first queen out, I would think, if the queen got lost at the first attempt and there were any larvae young enough to draw into queen cells. Nothing new; just as would happen with a clipped queen followed by no action.

Look for any 'lost' queen under the OMF is my initial suggestion, then check for other queen cells. Pronto.

Yes, inspection is the issue at present. tried twice and had to close up!

 

[Midland Beek]

If you had a prime swarm leave last Thursday the new queen would be due to emerge any day now. In such cases I really do not see the point in inspecting at all. I mean do not even bother looking for a new queen because you can't find them. You have done your bit. The right time to inspect would be 3-4 weeks.

 

[einsteinagogo]

If you had a prime swarm leave last Thursday the new queen would be due to emerge any day now. In such cases I really do not see the point in inspecting at all. I mean do not even bother looking for a new queen because you can't find them. You have done your bit. The right time to inspect would be 3-4 weeks.

I shall leave them now, I was just trying to ensure, no casts leave. (e.g. if I'd missed any QCs!)

Mark 3-4 weeks on the calendar, and cross fingers. Looks like were are going to have a good day today.

 

[beeno]

Hi einsteinagogo,
Well, you are lucky it's a bank holiday weekend. It will be interesting to see how many casts you get or if the first one out will kill the others, as you seem to think you have left multiple QCs. Hope it works out ok.

 

[einsteinagogo]

Hi einsteinagogo,
Well, you are lucky it's a bank holiday weekend. It will be interesting to see how many casts you get or if the first one out will kill the others, as you seem to think you have left multiple QCs. Hope it works out ok.

Thanks, all part of Beekeeping...

I didn't think I missed any the first time, but clearly I did, because they'd swarmed (which was a bit half hearted really!) and then on inspection, kept all but the best, but could not get back to inspect before Queen due to hatch!, to check for any other's that they may have been sealed!

Weather is good today, so I would not be surprised, if something has happened today!

and sods law dictates, that as I need to work in the garden this weekend, we will have some interesting activity!

On that note, if a cast swarm does issue, I assume I need to take it away at least 3 miles, otherwise foragers will return to prime colony ?

I'll get ready with swarm gear, boxes, nucs, brood boxes, foundation, queen excluder!

 

[beeno]

Good News - they are in swarm mode so you can locate them anywhere you like!

 

[Heather]

Andy, don't need to take far away. The bulk will stay with the queen. I stick a swarm within 3 ft of parent hive, no probs. And as you know health of your apiary swarm you can feed quite quickly to keep them happy.

 

[einsteinagogo]

Thanks

 

[einsteinagogo]

Good News - they are in swarm mode so you can locate them anywhere you like!

Ah, I understand the context of this now, after asking my last question.

Thanks

Andy

 

[einsteinagogo]

Andy, don't need to take far away. The bulk will stay with the queen. I stick a swarm within 3 ft of parent hive, no probs. And as you know health of your apiary swarm you can feed quite quickly to keep them happy.

Thanks, just in case!