Introducing queen to hopelessly queenless colony

[JonnyPicklechin]

Can I just let her run into the hive if the colony has been HQ for a week or so ? They are desperate for a queen so she is welcomed with open arms/wings/legs?

Also on the subject, if I have ASed with NUC split, does the following schedule work?:

Day 1 split
Day 6 remove all QCs
They are hopelessly queenless
Introduce cage with new queen (no attendants)
She emerges in a day or so....

Or as above but instead of cage, she is in the centre of a couple of frames from a mating NUC, these introduced to the colony with a couple of squirts of Glade?




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[jenkinsbrynmair]

Can I just let her run into the hive if the colony has been HQ for a week or so ?

No - you will be sending her to a certain death - introduce her properly using an introduction cage

 

[Murox]

@JonnyPicklechin
Can I just let her run into the hive if the colony has been HQ for a week or so ? They are desperate for a queen so she is welcomed with open arms/wings/legs?
I wouldn't risk that, use an introduction cage or push-in cage

Also on the subject, if I have ASed with NUC split, does the following schedule work?:

Day 1 split
Day 6 remove all QCs - or day 7 when the cell is fully drawn and ready to cap
Only when they no longer have the material to make QC's, and they seldom draw QC’s from older larvae are - They are hopelessly queenless
Introduce cage with new queen (no attendants) - attendants don't matter, I always leave them
She emerges in a day or so....you mean 'released' don't you?

Or as above but instead of cage, she is in the centre of a couple of frames from a mating NUC, these introduced to the colony with a couple of squirts of Glade? I have never tried that, someone will have though

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

Thanks both....trying to use the NUC split method but minimise brood disruption.

To that end, taking brood frames as they fill from NUC to hive.

Dont want to put old queen in with orig hive (unless I have to). Would use these older queens for increase.

Plan is to get on full Demaree schedule ..next year now...only managed about 30% of colonies.

('Emerged'- yes, escapes cage)

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[jenkinsbrynmair]

Maybe read Snelgrove's 'the introduction of queen bees' a mine of interesting information and a cornucopia of weird and wonderful (and downright daft) ways of introducing queens.

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

Im on it....

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[user 819]

If only introducing a new queen try this one. Dunk her fully in honey and then place her on the tops bars, by the time workers have cleaned her up they will have acquired her pheromone and accepted her.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I've always intrtoduced queens in their transport cages - whether nuc or full hive. The most important thing is patience.
First of all don't introduce the old queen to the gatepost until you have the new queen in your hand.
Don't faff about with removing the attendant worker bees.
Cover the candy plug with a piece of strong insulating tape to make sure the bees can't get at it immediately (unless you have one of those introduction cages with a plastic tab already over the candy.
Immediately on removing and killing the old queen put the introduction cage in, between two frames - the flat introduction cages usually have a little loop at one end, put a piece of twig or a cocktail stick through it so the cage is suspended between the top bars.
Close up and sit back for a day or two.
go back in and judge the demeanour of the colony, if they seem happy, have a quick check in case of any QC's, uncover the candy and close up, if they still seem a bit tetchy, leave the candy covered and leave for a few more days
Go back in after a few days just to check they have released her (sometimes the candy gets a bit hard so they may need some help) if she's out don't inspect, but if all is well, close up and wait a week.
Go back in after a week and just do a very quick check to see if there are any eggs don't go hunting for the queen.
Regardless of whether you find eggs or not, close up, wait another week and check again.

 

[Erichalfbee]

If only introducing a new queen try this one. Dunk her fully in honey and then place her on the tops bars, by the time workers have cleaned her up they will have acquired her pheromone and accepted her.

Have you actually tried this yourself?

 

[Bear]

I introduced a queen in a transport cage and she was killed. Think it only happened once but it definitely happened. Result was I left them and they died out through the winter.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I introduced a queen in a transport cage and she was killed. Think it only happened once but it definitely happened. Result was I left them and they died out through the winter.

Why?
Did you not have another hive you could have united them with?

 

[pargyle]

If only introducing a new queen try this one. Dunk her fully in honey and then place her on the tops bars, by the time workers have cleaned her up they will have acquired her pheromone and accepted her.

The prize for this week's daftest idea goes to .....

 

[Bear]

Why?
Did you not have another hive you could have united them with?

No I decided if your going to be that stupid and kill your only means of existence then face the consequences. Had quite a few hives so loosing that one didn’t bother me.