Play Cups with Eggs

[Swift Nick]

Two of my hives I inspected this afternoon had play cups with an egg in. None with larvae and none with royal jelly. Are these considered swarm prep, or just play cups? I saw the queens in both hives, plenty of eggs also. I have knocked them back, but would use queen to nuc if this is considered swarm prep.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Look back in three days

 

[Ian123]

Eggs in play cups are common and often they’ll be removed. However I’d take it as a warning and certainly add some space and or juggle the brood boxes about to try and relieve any congestion.

 

[Swift Nick]

Thank you, I will check back in 3 days. They are OK for space, they have a full super, which I am extracting tomorrow, then they get it back and they have one to draw, and they are on 14x12.
As soon as I see a charged cell I will put the queen in a nuc, that method has worked well for me this year.