Lonely Queen

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Darryl

House Bee
Joined
Mar 9, 2021
Messages
182
Reaction score
85
Location
Rossendale, Lancashire
Hive Type
National
Number of Hives
5
I have a colony which has been ailing for some time. A late requeen resulted in a low bee count which has diminished over the last couple of months. No visible sign of disease and poor forging compared to a nearby hive. I am left with a virtually empty hive with a scattering of open and capped brood. The queen, however is happily wandering over the frames.
I assume the colony is doomed but I am loath to lose a healthy queen.
What should I do with her?
 
Can you be a bit more specific re numbers? I.e. frames of brood / bee's etc
 
Bee barely cover one frame but are scattered throughout the hive in small groups as is capped/uncapped brood.
 
I have a colony which has been ailing for some time. A late requeen resulted in a low bee count which has diminished over the last couple of months. No visible sign of disease and poor forging compared to a nearby hive. I am left with a virtually empty hive with a scattering of open and capped brood. The queen, however is happily wandering over the frames.
I assume the colony is doomed but I am loath to lose a healthy queen.
What should I do with her?
If you’re desperate to save her split a colony into two nucs and introduce her to one.
 
Too late. Just had a look in and - no queen despite almost taking the have apart. The few uncapped brood were unattended with the low bee count. Only workers spotted seem to be robbers from a neighbouring hive. I think you are correct jenkinsbrynmair, the queen has made little progress since she was introduced so I'll clear out the hive for next year ready for a swarm or split.
Thanks everyone for the advice.
 

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