Making Queen Cells

[Gunzo]

Hi,

I have a really good queen and I have reared queen cells from over the last week to replace three of my other queens that are a little flighty, stingy and follow for some distance after inspections.

I found the best queencells to harvest all on a full drone frame I use for genetics and trapping Varroa.

Question is would the bees know what is a drone or normal bee larvae to place in these queen cells as I am positive the frame would have been laid up 100% as drone. Or would they have moved larvae from other cells and placed them in the QC on this frame.

 

[Ian123]

With a DLQ bees will/can attempt to raise queens from some of the larvae. However under normal circumstances I would trust the bees. Although personally if it was a complete frame of drone then I may have be inclined to avoid. I would guess you will be fine though. Ian

 

[Gunzo]

With a DLQ bees will/can attempt to raise queens from some of the larvae. However under normal circumstances I would trust the bees. Although personally if it was a complete frame of drone then I may have be inclined to avoid. I would guess you will be fine though. Ian

She’s not a drone layer. I just keep a frame of drone Combe in the brood box.

Ye I hope they know what their doing Just have to wait see if I can spot them When and if they emerge in 16 days.

 

[Ian123]

I didn’t think she was a drone layer but I was using it as an example of times they do but I guess out of desperation. Was your drone frame new foundation or freshly drawn wax?

 

[dn170221]

When you say you have reared queen cells did you graft them or did the bees make them themselves?

 

[Gunzo]

I didn’t think she was a drone layer but I was using it as an example of times they do but I guess out of desperation. Was your drone frame new foundation or freshly drawn wax?

Yes just starter strip and let them draw it out. Just so happens they drew it all as drone

 

[Gunzo]

When you say you have reared queen cells did you graft them or did the bees make them themselves?

I cut the Comb in zig zags on a frame so they could make the cells where i would not damage them. They repaired all of that and made them on the drone frame anyway.

Bit of a job to get them out intact and weren’t as big as I would have liked but good shape to them.

 

[oliver90owner]

....
Ye I hope they know what their doing Just have to wait see if I can spot them When and if they emerge in 16 days.

If I was wanting to retain the present queen, I would not be leaving queen cells in the colony for 16 days - unless I had removed the old queen to a safe haven!

 

[dn170221]

I have hjeard of that method encouraging the bees to give you queen cells. I would be inbterested to hear how you get on.
It also allays the concern I had that you might have been making increase from bees that were making swarm preparations ie. inadvertently selectively breeding for swarminess.

 

[Gunzo]

....
Ye I hope they know what their doing Just have to wait see if I can spot them When and if they emerge in 16 days.

If I was wanting to retain the present queen, I would not be leaving queen cells in the colony for 16 days - unless I had removed the old queen to a safe haven!

Cells are going into queen less hives not one with an Queen

 

[Gunzo]

I have hjeard of that method encouraging the bees to give you queen cells. I would be inbterested to hear how you get on.
It also allays the concern I had that you might have been making increase from bees that were making swarm preparations ie. inadvertently selectively breeding for swarminess.

Queen was removed from the hive then I looked to make the Queen cells. No she’s been really good. Three years old and not swarmed yet.

I do make sure she’s got plenty of room though.