Mini nuc - QC fallen to floor

[Stedic]

So I went beekeeping with my mentor today in his hives.

He’d run out of kit when we found a brilliant hive had loads of capped cells. As I had them in the car I made up 3 mating nucs, as much as anything just to give it a go. 2 have capped QCs, 1 has a virgin who emerged during an inspection.

I now have them at home, tucked away in the garage which is dark ish. They are making quite a roar but they have fondant and have been listed, so I think I’ve done what is needed.

However - I think I spotted one of the QCs on the ventilation panel underneath, suggesting it may have slipped down. Should I open them (tomorrow?) to move it back? I’m minded not to as if it has been damaged I assume they will destroy it anyway.

Any chance it will be OK if it is on the floor but not damaged?

 

[SDM]

It'll depend on the age and if they keep it warm or not. If it's really close to emerging it'll probably be ok. If not........

 

[Hebeegeebee]

If you open them up in the garage you will lose 1/2 your bees - you'll need to open the entrance on the site they will remain at before going in. The bees should stay if you have driven them in a car from your mentor. (Unless you are a lazy bugger and drove a hundred yards!). With luck the queen will be out. If she is not that ready in the queencell, the chances are that she is a gonner i fear.

 

[Stedic]

Thanks all.

I decided to envoke the Beekeeping methods of Shrodinger. I thought that if everything was OK in there, all I could do was mess it up. If everything isn't alright, I don't really know how I could quickly fix it.

I'm due to open them up for flying this evening. I'll let them settle for 24 hours then have a quick peek.

It is a new learning experience, if nothing else.