Positioning of superseded cells

[Curly green finger's]

Hi I've noticed this season that most of my superseding colonys have had the cells on the bottom of frames.
My last superseding queen (the old girl is in a nuc and they are producing two cells again on the bottom of the frames one I'm going to leave and the other I'm going to use in another colony, the old girl is still laying a bit and I have eggs to play with but don't want to graft any more this season, wondering what to do with them?

I've found it interesting to see the position of the supersedure cells.
Thanks
Mark

 

[Erichalfbee]

Supersedure cells are anywhere as are swarm cells. What defines them is the bees’ intentions.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Supersedure cells are anywhere as are swarm cells. What defines them is the bees’ intentions.

I agree, I've seen swarm cells in all places but all of my supersedure cells this season have all been on the bottom of frames.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

have you had many supersedures then?

 

[enrico]

I am amazed by how many people believe their hives are superseding. Not that many years ago it was considered a really rare happening. Now everyone seems to have hives that supercede. I wonder how many of us actually lose swarms and don't know it!

 

[Curly green finger's]

have you had many supersedures then?

Three

 

[Finman]

8[QUOTE="Curly green finger's, post:

 

[Erichalfbee]

8[QUOTE="Curly green finger's, post:

You have had eight Finny?

 

[Curly green finger's]

8[QUOTE="Curly green finger's, post:

=" Finman post?

 

[Erichalfbee]

I am amazed by how many people believe their hives are superseding. Not that many years ago it was considered a really rare happening. Now everyone seems to have hives that supercede. I wonder how many of us actually lose swarms and don't know it!

It’s because it implies it’s nothing the beekeeper has done and it’s all down to the bees
I’ve seen lots of people post they have swarm and supersedure cells together.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

You have had eight Finny?

All the fingers of one hand!?

 

[Worker bee]

I've got an apiary I've never let a hive swarm from or superseded. I've got queens five years old still laying strong. I usually lose a few hives in winter. Most get requeened in time

 

[Erichalfbee]

You’ve never lost a swarm? Or do you mean from one particular apiary?

 

[Worker bee]

You’ve never lost a swarm? Or do you mean from one particular apiary?

From that apiary I pay close attention to it I want to know how long queens last. All my old queens I put there

 

[Worker bee]

None less than four years so far and reach peak laying 2nd 3rd year

 

[Worker bee]

You’ve never lost a swarm? Or do you mean from one particular apiary?

I Dont want them to swarm so I have the original queen I split them off regularly obviously. I have a queen six years old she is still laying good but expect to lose her this winter. She will get split off into a nuc and the hive united

 

[Curly green finger's]

I Dont want them to swarm so I have the original queen I split them off regularly obviously. I have a queen six years old she is still laying good but expect to lose her this winter. She will get split off into a nuc and the hive united

Do you inspect more than once a week? 5 days for me throughout swarmy season still had to nuc queen's.
When you say split of do you mean donating brood from those colonys?

 

[Worker bee]

Do you inspect more than once a week? 5 days for me throughout swarmy season still had to nuc queen's.

Swarm season twice a week now I don't worry about it once a week max. If I see anything I'll inspect again and again until I'm satisfied 2 days apart. Now some hives I'd be happy to inspect a few weeks apart. Some are super strong and could swarm even now so once a week. I inspect hives based on strength time of year and tendancy. Set time tables don't work for me because I'm expanding a relative novice and don't want to lose bees. If in doubt look

 

[Curly green finger's]

Swarm season twice a week now I don't worry about it once a week max

Wow you did say you had bucks, I'm trying to select my blacks I will have bucks going into there 3rd year and more blacks going into there third year next year.
Interesting though some of my blacks that were in one location built up steady and didn't produce any signs of swarming, maybe good forage has alot to do with it?

 

[Erichalfbee]

I Dont want them to swarm so I have the original queen I split them off regularly obviously. I have a queen six years old she is still laying good but expect to lose her this winter. She will get split off into a nuc and the hive united

Do you mean you split her off into a nuc as the colony builds ...so more than once a season or just the once as part of swarm control.
I had a queen in her fourth season ....that's the best I've ever done.
In her fifth season is pretty good...brill