Heather
Queen Bee
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2008
- Messages
- 4,131
- Reaction score
- 128
- Location
- Newick, East Sussex
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 6
I have a strong colony. Wall to wall brood. Lovely to handle. Not a queen cell in sight- So I thought - all was well.
Next inspection-yes- was 12 days later- I know I left it a little late.
No eggs, loads of 3 day old brood- so she was fine then- but 3 lovely capped queen cells- not emergency ones.
Queen was fine- laying well - why 3 new queen cells, which they had started a while ago whilst all was well- and she has disappeared- I am pretty sure not swarmed, hive still big.
Did they know in advance that she was going - how, why- any ideas???
Next inspection-yes- was 12 days later- I know I left it a little late.
No eggs, loads of 3 day old brood- so she was fine then- but 3 lovely capped queen cells- not emergency ones.
Queen was fine- laying well - why 3 new queen cells, which they had started a while ago whilst all was well- and she has disappeared- I am pretty sure not swarmed, hive still big.
Did they know in advance that she was going - how, why- any ideas???