Last inspection and lots of EQCs

[lizzie-drippin]

Just done my last inspections before shutdown (after finishing OA vaping treatment) and one of my nucs has a lot of EQCs and the marked queen is nowhere to be seen (and no eggs).

Is this nuc now lost?

Seems late to hope that the EQ will mate successfully? Instead, should I try and requeen (if I can find a mated queen for sale)?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I wouldn’t chance it. Unite with something else

 

[user 20297]

Just done my last inspections before shutdown (after finishing OA vaping treatment) and one of my nucs has a lot of EQCs and the marked queen is nowhere to be seen (and no eggs).

Is this nuc now lost?

Seems late to hope that the EQ will mate successfully? Instead, should I try and requeen (if I can find a mated queen for sale)?

Thanks for any advice.

A recent controversial? point of view.

 

[Erichalfbee]

He’s talking of a failing hive though. Lizzie’s queen has been killed. Completely different.

 

[user 20297]

He’s talking of a failing hive though. Lizzie’s queen has been killed. Completely different.

A hive without a queen at this time of year isn't exactly succeeding.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Nit picking. A specialty of yours

 

[Ian123]

A recent controversial? point of view.

So he doesn’t like uniting failing hives and worry’s about disease…so shake them out so they disperse to multiple hives Not sure I’d be putting up with those followers either!

 

[user 20297]

So he doesn’t like uniting failing hives and worry’s about disease…so shake them out so they disperse to multiple hives Not sure I’d be putting up with those followers either!

Yes, I know that shaking-out probably isn't thought to be a good thing generally, and his advice is contradictory. I don't necessarily agree with him. But the suggestion that you may be disadvantaging a thriving hive by giving it additional mouths to feed at a critical time, when they are already well underway with getting their winter nest in balance, is one that I hadn't heard before. Previously, all arguments I had heard had been that bolstering a colony with additional, possibly otherwise doomed bees, was always a positive thing.

 

[user 20297]

Nit picking. A specialty of yours

Remember, take on the argument, not the person.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Remember, take on the argument, not the person.

Thank you, I will

 

[Hachi]

Yes, I know that shaking-out probably isn't thought to be a good thing generally, and his advice is contradictory. I don't necessarily agree with him. But the suggestion that you may be disadvantaging a thriving hive by giving it additional mouths to feed at a critical time, when they are already well underway with getting their winter nest in balance, is one that I hadn't heard before. Previously, all arguments I had heard had been that bolstering a colony with additional, possibly otherwise doomed bees, was always a positive thing.

How many "mouths" is a hive loosing daily as it reduces down to the circa 10k winter bee's? This is a nuc and to reduce cross infection, uniting was suggested. That to me is sound advice