Our new queen bee

[kazmcc]

After all the upset of the previous weeks, we went in to the hive to pick the best QC of the ones we had missed. I had marked the frames with the cells I had spotted and we were all set to pick our plumpest. Out of habit, I scoured the frames, still noticing the honey in the brood nest where eggs and grubs should be, when I saw a flash of red. I looked to where the red had come from, and there she was. The most perfect queen. She sure had a lot of energy to get rid of, she ran the whole length of the frame and back again. I just watched her for a while, watching how the worker bees reacted to her. Some were sitting on top of her and vibrating thier bodies fast, before she moved on and another bee would do the same.

I've watched lots of videos, trying to learn how to pick out an unmarked queen, as our previous queen was never seen. I turned the frame carefully a few times, then looked back and spotted her everytime. It's those red legs! So red.

I snapped out of it and started to take down the rest of the QC's that were still standing. I'm pretty sure I got them all. So now, I am feeling very pleased with myself. Not only that though, I was starting to feel a bit downhearted about the whole Q- situation. The bees are my escape, and normally feel at total peace after tending them, but just lately it has been upsetting. If we had gone Q- through our own mistakes, or even had it just been one of those things, it wouldn't have been so bad. I am just happy to be happy again.

I understand this isn't the end of the road just yet. She has to mate successfully, I just feel like we are getting somewhere again. Who would have thought, this time last year, that these insects would be such a big part of my life?

 

[RoseCottage]

Kaz its ok...to be a beek. It doesn't hurt to be under the spell...

 

[kazmcc]

Kaz its ok...to be a beek. It doesn't hurt to be under the spell...

I'm just surprised how much they have captivated me. I could talk bees all day long, and have just mithered my mentor to take me the next time he collects a swarm I want to do that. I want to do everything and be a proper beekeeper

 

[Oandy]

Hi Kazmcc you are a proper beek just some have more experience than us. But even those more experienced than us learn a little now and again. We just learn more every day so maybe more enjoyable for us. Andy

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

Well done Kaz - just wait until you hear the pitter patter of tiny grubs

 

[kazmcc]

Hi Kazmcc you are a proper beek just some have more experience than us. But even those more experienced than us learn a little now and again. We just learn more every day so maybe more enjoyable for us. Andy

You know, that is so true! The satisfaction I have got from requeening this hive is immense, even though I did nothing at all lol, the bees did the work. I just love learning the next step, and this past year has been wonderful. Each time I learn something new, I feel like I've acheived something amazing. I am so glad I did this now, I can't imagine my life without bees anymore

 

[kazmcc]

Well done Kaz - just wait until you hear the pitter patter of tiny grubs

Sorry, must have cross posted

Aww, I'm not getting my hopes up but could you imagine?! I will be the smuggest beekeeper EVER lol

So, my instinct tells me to leave them alone for at least a couple of weeks to get on with it, but the mentor tells me to check in a week for any queencells I may have missed.......to help the eejit who caused our problems as he is still queenless ( what a surprise ) so they can be grafted into his hive. Hmm, now it is possible I may have missed some still, it happened before, but I really did have a good go this time and it was alone and not with the group.

What would be your next course of action.

Also, why weren't the bees badly behaved while queenless? They just seemed more intent on collecting stores, which they've deposited EVERYWHERE.

 

[TJSnapper]

Kazmcc, I can understand where you are coming from being that we have only had our hives for 2 months.... It is exciting and I fear becoming a bee bore amongst my friends. There is always something new to learn and do, no matter how much reading you do it is always nice to actually perform some operation or other under the guide of a mentor / someone more experienced
So far I've managed an artificial swarm on one hive and captured a swarm that was in a tree nearby. Seeing queens hatch for the first time is special though The only frustrating thing is that there is not enough to do with weekly or bi-weekly inspections.

 

[kazmcc]

I have embraced the bee bore label my friends have given me I could quite happily mess with bees all day, every day. It would be my ideal line of work lol. My mentor has promised to take me to collect a swarm next time he's called. I cannot wait! I'm glad someone else feels the same way haha, my friends say I should get out more

 

[TJSnapper]

my friends say I should get out more

Ha that is the trouble, I am in Switzerland at the moment and have to phone home to get daily updates on how the hives are doing Ha ha.

 

[kazmcc]

Ha that is the trouble, I am in Switzerland at the moment and have to phone home to get daily updates on how the hives are doing Ha ha.

Aww

I must admit, when it's the school holidays, I sometimes still go down there, even when there is nothing to do, just to watch them. There is just something about bees......I don't know why the fascinate us so much.

 

[TJSnapper]

Ours are in the garden so I have a potter out there first thing as they are thinking about leaving the hive, next week off though so will be there a bit more. Have the local Bee inspector coming next week to assess the hives as we registered them online, should learn loads from him

 

[kazmcc]

Oh to have bees at home! The local authority just wouldn't allow it though. Probably a good thing, as nothing would get done......ever

 

[TJSnapper]

Oh to have bees at home! The local authority just wouldn't allow it though. Probably a good thing, as nothing would get done......ever

Good point, that is why I never manage to get anything done at home.... hmmm

 

[Poly Hive]

Go to collect swarms, lol this year most of mine have been self hiving.

Found yet another one in the bait hive at the apiary. That would be the third there and another two arrived here. Getting a bit boring now...lol

PH

 

[TJSnapper]

Go to collect swarms, lol this year most of mine have been self hiving.

Found yet another one in the bait hive at the apiary. That would be the third there and another two arrived here. Getting a bit boring now...lol

PH

Now you are making me jealous

 

[kazmcc]

I want to know more about my new queen, and the beginning of her career. As many facts as possible please. Does anyone have any more info?