Queen or not is the question

[Drinkstone]

One hive seemed to be a lot quieter than it was a few weeks ago, so we looked for the queen and found nothing. Last Wednesday we introduced two frames of eggs and larvae. Well I had a look today and to my eye there is no sign of building queen cells, if, and it is if, I am right the test frame is now capped brood, although no sign of new activity which I suppose is unlikely to be noticable as test frames went in on Wednesday. I am thinking leave it another couple of days, read some more, and then go in again looking for a queen or a queen cell. Does anyone have any advice/comment please ?

 

[Queens59]

I am right the test frame is now capped brood

If they have capped it - they will not be making a queen cell from it...perhaps the eggs were too old?

 

[REDWOOD]

When you say quieter what do you mean
If there is no queen cells being made hive has a queen of some sort

 

[thedeaddiplomat]

Did you check for a Queen cell when you first noticed the hive unusually quiet?

Is it possible that they have swarmed? If so, then perhaps you need to leave things for another couple of weeks, and then check for eggs or unsealed brood (and, of course a Queen - though with my eyesight I never find her anyway).

 

[Drinkstone]

Eyesight tell me about it! Yes we felt that there may well have been a swarm as we had hatched queen cell, although that was before the colony went quiet (supercedure maybe). Could be that the new queen, if present, has not been mated as the weather has not been favourable for outdoor sex even for bee's......I guess.

 

[REDWOOD]

When did you hive swarm as it could take up to 4 weeks for your new queen to start laying

 

[enrico]

Just be patient.....it sounds ok so just let them get on with it. Check again in a couple of weeks for eggs. Between now and then leave them alone. Patience is a real virtue in this game
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