More Queen Cells

[TryingToLetThemBee]

For Millet;

The 'main' colony have swarmed themselves into decline essentially. They are now a smaller colony than the nuc. They do have a new queen whom we believed to be a virgin but who may be mated fingers crossed. They have absolutely no brood at all. This queen is getting two weeks' grace and if she starts laying then they will be reduced down into a nuc for the winter. They may receive a frame of brood from the nuc to give them a boost.

If she isn't laying in two weeks time she will be dispatched and the two colonies united.

So I will keep you posted =)

Just a thought but might there be a problem with the environment the colony is in? I mean a lot of this seems pretty normal for this year in some respects; I have had my share, but pretty much at the extreme end in your case I would say.

So, to name some stressors that I have observed or could theorise: mould in hive or on frames/wax (have had a lot of drawn comb simply ignored this year); pests such as wax moth; too much sun; too much damp; vibration; electric fields (transformers etc); etc.

 

[Robbo8916]

Just a thought but might there be a problem with the environment the colony is in? I mean a lot of this seems pretty normal for this year in some respects; I have had my share, but pretty much at the extreme end in your case I would say.

So, to name some stressors that I have observed or could theorise: mould in hive or on frames/wax (have had a lot of drawn comb simply ignored this year); pests such as wax moth; too much sun; too much damp; vibration; electric fields (transformers etc); etc.

The hive was brand new in April when the bees were moved into it. They had 5 frames from their nuc and a further 6 brand new frames of foundation. They are in full sun in the morning until around 1pm then they are in dappled shade as they are partially under a tree.

There is no mould or anything like that in the hive, and they are left well alone unless I am doing an inspection. They are in the garden of a retired lady and the hive is right at the top of the garden well away from the house.

I can't vouch for the environment they were in prior to coming to me but they seemed fine to start with. They just seem like really swarmy bees. But hopefully we have got them to a point where it can now be rectified.

Fingers crossed

 

[midnight sun]

For Millet;

The 'main' colony have swarmed themselves into decline essentially. They are now a smaller colony than the nuc. They do have a new queen whom we believed to be a virgin but who may be mated fingers crossed. They have absolutely no brood at all. This queen is getting two weeks' grace and if she starts laying then they will be reduced down into a nuc for the winter. They may receive a frame of brood from the nuc to give them a boost.

If she isn't laying in two weeks time she will be dispatched and the two colonies united.

So I will keep you posted =)

Still time to mate and lay yet Rob, I've had them succeed later than this. Give her 3 weeks at least if would like to keep her and then decide. Either way it's one for free....apart from the stress of course! LOL

 

[Millet]

My up date.
I do not know how I managed it but I missed the old Queen last time around, I spotted her yesterday and she is still laying what appears to be ok, however the Queen cell I left in there is hatched so I may have two queens running around in there at the moment, I will let them get on with it.

A question I have though is the Queen cell I put in the NUC did not emerge, I opened the Queen cell up and they is a dried out dead sack in there.
They is also what I think a laying worker in there, as they is random young brood laid on the middle frame and it looks like the cell entrance is being enlarged to accommodate drones.
The bees in the Nuc will be lucky if they are covering 4 seems.
Would it be a good idea just too shake the hopeless colony out and remove the Nuc which is only 3ft away from the old Queen hive in the hope they beg there way in, I will not be able to do it till after the weekend though as the weather is terrible.
Thanks
Steve.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Sounds like the best plan - that's what I would do

 

[Millet]

Sounds like the best plan - that's what I would do

 

[Erichalfbee]

Yes

 

[Millet]

Well i went for it today and shook them all out in front of the Q+ hive, i removed the entrance block so it was fully open for several hours and i also stuck the inspection tray in to stop them getting stuck under the open mesh floor.
All seemed well after around 1hr so i stuck the entrance block back in and removed the inspection board.

My next question ? .
What should i do with all the brood frames that contain sealed and unsealed nectar + pollen + thousands of egg's and drone brood.
I do not have space to stick them in the Q+ hive so for now i have put them in a tightly sealed brood box.
Would it be best just to cut the area of eggs and what will be dead (on my next visit) drone brood from the old dark come, then place it below the brood box for them to clean out, or should i just bin it.
Thank you
Steve.

P.s here is some pictures of how many eggs that laying worker was laying in each cell and some various coloured pollen they are collecting.

 

[midnight sun]

Well i went for it today and shook them all out in front of the Q+ hive, i removed the entrance block so it was fully open for several hours and i also stuck the inspection tray in to stop them getting stuck under the open mesh floor.
All seemed well after around 1hr so i stuck the entrance block back in and removed the inspection board.

My next question ? .
What should i do with all the brood frames that contain sealed and unsealed nectar + pollen + thousands of egg's and drone brood.
I do not have space to stick them in the Q+ hive so for now i have put them in a tightly sealed brood box.
Would it be best just to cut the area of eggs and what will be dead (on my next visit) drone brood from the old dark come, then place it below the brood box for them to clean out, or should i just bin it.
Thank you
Steve.

P.s here is some pictures of how many eggs that laying worker was laying in each cell and some various coloured pollen they are collecting.

Personally, If it were me. I would uncap as much as I could within reason in order to clean out brood that I could then stick them in the freezer in case you needed them next season. The bees will clean them up once thawed and put in the hive next year where needed. Or you could just melt them down if you have no room.

 

[Millet]

Personally, If it were me. I would uncap as much as I could within reason in order to clean out brood that I could then stick them in the freezer in case you needed them next season. The bees will clean them up once thawed and put in the hive next year where needed. Or you could just melt them down if you have no room.

I have already uncapped the few sealed brood Mr Sun, the chickens where loving the grubs even though i felt a bit guilty doing it and i got sick in the end and left most in there, would you uncap the honey also before freezing.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I would just freeze the frames as they are then when you use them for a colony next year there is some food there...a reward for cleaning out all that dead brood

 

[midnight sun]

I have already uncapped the few sealed brood Mr Sun, the chickens where loving the grubs even though i felt a bit guilty doing it and i got sick in the end and left most in there, would you uncap the honey also before freezing.

Erica has just given you the perfect reply. I would thaw them before introducing them myself so as not to put frames in there at -18 degrees.

 

[Millet]

I would just freeze the frames as they are then when you use them for a colony next year there is some food there...a reward for cleaning out all that dead brood

The frames i am on about but may not of mentioned are old with dirty wax, so i do not want to give them back to the bees permanently, is there another method of cleaning them out, i was thinking about laying them on top of the super frames in a spare super box to let them empty them so i can use the wax for other things .

 

[Millet]

Double post.

 

[Erichalfbee]

The frames i am on about but may not of mentioned are old with dirty wax, so i do not want to give them back to the bees permanently, is there another method of cleaning them out, i was thinking about laying them on top of the super frames in a spare super box to let them empty them so i can use the wax for other things .

If they are old and dark they will be largely cocoons. The bees would have cleared out most of the wax in their repeated remodelling of the cells. Nothing but rubbish. Have a good burn up in the garden

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

If they are old and dark they will be largely cocoons. The bees would have cleared out most of the wax in their repeated remodelling of the cells. Nothing but rubbish. Have a good burn up in the garden

the chances of them robbing out the pollen are slim anyway- if the frames and comb are old and manky - give them the holiday cottage treatment

If you really want to keep the wax - just boil up the whole lot as they are - in an old stocking or something (ask your lady friend for one if you haven't any spare of your own ) then just chuck the whole lot awsay bar the wax

 

[Erichalfbee]

give them the holiday cottage treatment

Shock horror! I can't believe you said that!

 

[Millet]

Shock horror! I can't believe you said that!

Has Jenky stopped at yours..

 

[Millet]

the chances of them robbing out the pollen are slim anyway- if the frames and comb are old and manky - give them the holiday cottage treatment

If you really want to keep the wax - just boil up the whole lot as they are - in an old stocking or something (ask your lady friend for one if you haven't any spare of your own ) then just chuck the whole lot awsay bar the wax

The burco might be pulled out of retirement.

 

[beeno]

Has Jenky stopped at yours..

The Welsh burn down cottages owned by the English. Are you asking Jenkins if he has given EricA's house a reprieve from this practice?