Possible Mating Flight?

[CLB]

Please would anyone explain if there is any unusual activity in the colony left in a hive whilst the virgin Queen is absent on a mating flight?

I've just been to our queenless hive and seen an increased amount of flying activity around it, plus the hive is very noisy compared with the other two queenright colonies. We had two queen cells that we judged should emerge last Saturday or Sunday (28th/29th August), therefore assume today might be the first day available for mating. Neither the amount of erratic flying bees outside the hive, or the loud humming, almost whining noise are typical of these bees. It feels like there's "something in the air" down there, as I also got stung twice - again not usual for these bees.

 

[Markthebuilder]

I have noted that Bees do start making a lot more noise in the hive if you take the queen out for any length of time
ie when splitting a hive in 2 even if you don’t see her the box with a queen in will be much quieter noise wise

 

[Markthebuilder]

If you think a vq may be taking a maiden flight advice seams to be stay Away from hive … but the i seam to only read the advice after the event

 

[Erichalfbee]

I have noted that Bees do start making a lot more noise in the hive if you take the queen out for any length of time
ie when splitting a hive in 2 even if you don’t see her the box with a queen in will be much quieter noise wise

They certainly do. Listen to the super after you take it off to check out the brood box

 

[CLB]

If you think a vq may be taking a maiden flight advice seams to be stay Away from hive … but the i seam to only read the advice after the event

Thanks Mark, I should have explained I wasn’t going into the hive, despite being very eager to know what was happening. We decided to leave them to it for three weeks to give a possible new queen the best chance. We hope to check next week. If there’s no queen, hopefully we’d still have a last chance to buy one in. I was observing from about 3/4 metres away and heard the noise from there.

 

[Markthebuilder]

Thanks Mark, I should have explained I wasn’t going into the hive, despite being very eager to know what was happening. We decided to leave them to it for three weeks to give a possible new queen the best chance. We hope to check next week. If there’s no queen, hopefully we’d still have a last chance to buy one in. I was observing from about 3/4 metres away and heard the noise from there.

Sadly my hearing isn’t that good …we did have some over enthusiastic yard bees taking people lt at 10 yards + for a period this year but it was probebly payback for to much interference from me early on. hope your vq comes good . I note my My local supplier only has half a dozen mated Qs left and availabel up to Friday next week ???? but this is in Northumberland. Downsouth they may well have later ones

 

[CLB]

Sadly my hearing isn’t that good …we did have some over enthusiastic yard bees taking people lt at 10 yards + for a period this year but it was probebly payback for to much interference from me early on. hope your vq comes good . I note my My local supplier only has half a dozen mated Qs left and availabel up to Friday next week ???? but this is in Northumberland. Downsouth they may well have later ones

Thanks again Mark. I know the weather well in the north east, having grown up in Darlington; it's definitely much milder down here. That said conditions here have been so erratic this year, my vegetables and I are still waiting for summer to arrive!

 

[ericbeaumont]

Downsouth they may well have later ones

Queens arriving this week from Scotland, so it's not over yet.