Not sure of next step

[BrianO]

Hi

Not sure of how to tackle this situation.

National, brood and half, Queen clipped and marked ( last week ). Opened yesterday loads of QC's , none capped, queen there.

Going on Hols for 2 weeks from Friday week. Thinking of trying Demaree method, do not want any more colonies as now at 8. Of which 3 no. are Polynuc'ed splits waiting queens to be mated.

Any positive opinions , brief or not much appreciated as do not want to mess it up.

Thanks.

 

[biglongdarren]

If it was me i would squash the current queen, pick what you think is the best looking queen cell(mark the frame), knock the rest out and go back in 4/5 days and knock any others they have built out and then leave alone till after your holidays.



Darren

 

[Finman]

If it was me i would squash the current queen, pick what you think is the best looking queen cell(mark the frame), knock the rest out and go back in 4/5 days and knock any others they have built out and then leave alone till after your holidays.



Darren

Really bad idea to kill laying queen.

Knocking queen cells means that swarming fever continues.

YOu should make AS on foundations.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Thinking of trying Demaree method,

Too late to do a Demarree once QC's made. A/S is the only way.

 

[jonnybeegood]

If it was me i would squash the current queen, pick what you think is the best looking queen cell(mark the frame), knock the rest out and go back in 4/5 days and knock any others they have built out and then leave alone till after your holidays.



Darren

Going back in after 4/5 days still gives them time to make more after youve knocked those down, better check after 6/7 days then again a couple later in case you missed something.

 

[oliver90owner]

'Queen there' means nothing unless she is laying, or has been recently. Are these swarm cells or more than normal supercedure cells? Probability is that either they have gone into swarm mode or (less likely) you have damaged the queen and they are, or will be, rejecting her. Your call.

 

[Finman]

.Case is very clear.

Queen was there and clipped. When the swarm try to leave, queen will vanish into lawn.

Keep hurry and make an AS with queen, before it dies.

 

[BrianO]

Ok Thanks Guys, appreciate the help,

Now know ... I think.. what to do. AS as recommended and hopefully unite back in few weeks for honey production. Sound like a plan ?

 

[oliver90owner]

Unless you have done it already, it is still a plan. Result will be whether you finish with one colony or two.

That will depend on whether the clipped queen is still fecund.

 

[BrianO]

Indeed, another question I f I may..

To AS am I better to leave in the Queenless new split to leave 2 unsealed QC's and let nature take its course ?

In the other split with the queen, frame of brood, frame of stores and other 4 frames undrawn ?

Thanks

 

[oliver90owner]

Just 'goggle' a proper pagden method and follow it.

 

[BrianO]

Fair enough Thanks.