Queen problems-weather or something deeper?

[Hawklord]

No problems here, apart from the weather at times, but that has always been the case. No problems with the longevity of queens either, providing they are well mated, many of the top performing queens are in their third season, some even do well in their fourth, but not much good beyond then.

I struggle to get a queen to last more than 2 seasons, and that includes imports.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Maybe you should try closing the holes in your crown boards?

 

[For want of a better word]

.icanhopit is going to export bees. Tamarillo Queens!

.

Some have been exported over the GreatgreygreengreasyTamarriverallsetaboutwithsocialhousing... as far away as Somerset... needed to pollinate the Tamar Valley Cider apples so greatly loved by Thatchers Cider!
I may even travel up there to WASSAIL them !

Yeghes da

 

[B+.]

As I'm hoping to flood my home apiary with select drones from some pure mated queens next season any tips would be appreciated. I was simply going to buy some drone sized foundation. Naive...... I know......

You need to put at least the same effort into rearing drones that you would do in rearing queens, except drones take longer to emerge and even longer to become sexually mature.
I've attached a pdf from an old IWF DVD on Instrumental Insemination. Ignore the II stuff and look at the chart on page 4. As you can see, drones need about 40 days....and you will need LOTS of drones if you intend to open mate the virgin queens. The island mating stations will typically have 17 to 20 drone producing sister-colonies to supply enough drones and, if there's a shortage of food, the colony disposes of the mature drones in favour of the younger ones (an investment in the future when conditions might improve)

 

[kazmcc]

Could it have anything to do with the increase in treating bees for varroa? I know some treatments are harmful to queens if done too often.

 

[mbc]

Could it have anything to do with the increase in treating bees for varroa? I know some treatments are harmful to queens if done too often.

Good shout.
Fluvalinate residue in comb has been proved to reduce Drone fertility, and almost anything that kills varroa is probably going to eelffect bees too in some way and the first thing to go will be virility.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Good shout.
Fluvalinate residue in comb has been proved to reduce Drone fertility,

... and formic acid is also known to make drones infertile, and many like using formic as a varroa treatment, i wonder if it can effect the queens as well.

 

[oliver90owner]

And how would imports affect queen mating?

Clearly not this generation, but maybe the next (or more) down the line?

 

[Hawklord]

Maybe you should try closing the holes in your crown boards?

There is one hole I'd like to close, but it ain't in my crown boards.

 

[BeeJayBee]

Could it have anything to do with the increase in treating bees for varroa?

And some beekeepers cull as much drone brood as possible, intending to decrease the varroa load of their colonies which could mean that the best drones in a colony re destroyed without reaching maturity and never have the chance to mate.

 

[Jimmys Mum]

No problems here, apart from the weather at times, but that has always been the case. No problems with the longevity of queens either, providing they are well mated, many of the top performing queens are in their third season, some even do well in their fourth, but not much good beyond then.

I was actually on the verge of replacing one of your queens today after 3 seasons but then had an attack of sentimentality and decided to give her a chance at a 4th season. Her hive bought in 105lb of honey this year so definitely still got what it takes at the moment!

 

[Cussword]

Some have been exported over the GreatgreygreengreasyTamarriverallsetaboutwithsocialhousing... as far away as Somerset... needed to pollinate the Tamar Valley Cider apples so greatly loved by Thatchers Cider!
I may even travel up there to WASSAIL them !

Yeghes da

Don't you think we've had enough rain this year?

 

[Arfermo]

There is one hole I'd like to close, but it ain't in my crown boards.

Seen your GP?

 

[beebot]

Roger P can to give a talk to our local association earlier this year. Although interesting most of his claims appeared very subjective and hand waving. Most seemed to be unconvinced.
I don't have experience of the 'good old day,' but don't have problems getting queens mated. Stopping them swarm is another matter.
He did mention something about the number of swarm cells being produced was much higher 'than normal'. I do see colonies producing 20-30 swarm cells in one go but is this what is normal (relative to old days) I have no idea.
He did also mention and show a picture showing drone brood in worker cells and thus bulging out above worker brood as stated that this was abnormal. This was a surprise to me.
The list of possible causes of the queen problems did make me chuckle.

 

[Norton]

I do not know what possible causes RP gave on his list - no doubt he didn't miss the chance of negative comments about non-native bees. There are two main causes of all these problems with queens laying poorly, earl supercedure etc etc.

 

[Fritillary]

I was simply going to buy some drone sized foundation. .

Not using foundation at all seems to mean plenty of drones - or it has here anyway!

 

[beebot]

I do not know what possible causes RP gave on his list - no doubt he didn't miss the chance of negative comments about non-native bees. There are two main causes of all these problems with queens laying poorly, earl supercedure etc etc.

He did make allot of comments about liking dark bees (mainly because he cannot call them native) as they are almost like natives. Also kept saying I don't like Italians which was clearly his little joke.
So what are the two main causes; Poor mating would be my one guess.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Poor mating would be my one guess.

... and nosema ceranae is another.

 

[beebot]

Must dig out the jar of HM thymol mixture.

Just remember that he (Roger P) was also advocating having local breeding programs which seemed rather ironic as he also then went on to detail the problems they were having with their queens.

 

[B+.]

Just remember that he (Roger P) was also advocating having local breeding programs which seemed rather ironic as he also then went on to detail the problems they were having with their queens.

I live in a small village that has 6 pubs...how long do you think they'd survive without customers from other areas?
In the same way a "local breeding programme" can't be taken to mean a few miles radius. This would lead to inbreeding very quickly (which sounds like Roger's problem)