Queenless Colony

Erichalfbee · Aug 22, 2021

BBC said:
Dear Mr Halfbee,
Apologies for the late response to your previous (and welcome) advice on my Queenless colony.
Update:
I introduced the test frame and now have 11 capped QC’s. There is still a lot of Drones in and around both hives.
I’m guessing I now need to reduce the number of QC’s?
Eagerly await your counsel

You could reduce. It’s a pity you can’t find an open one with a larva you can see. Then you are sure The cell is ok.
Otherwise choose a nice dimpled fat cell in a well protected position
Then it’s up to the weather and fate if your new queen gets mated.
BUT. It’s getting late in the year, not particularly for mating but your queen to be won’t be laying for three weeks at the best and no new bees will be produced for another three after that. It could be potentially longer.
I woukd break down all the emergency cells and order a mated queen from a reputable supplier straight away. They are all available online and you could have a new queen by Tuesday if you get cracking.

jenkinsbrynmair · Aug 22, 2021

Erichalfbee said:
You could reduce. It’s a pity you can’t find an open one with a larva you can see. Then you are sure The cell is ok.
Otherwise choose a nice dimpled fat cell in a well protected position
Then it’s up to the weather and fate if your new queen gets mated.
BUT. It’s getting late in the year, not particularly for mating but your queen to be won’t be laying for three weeks at the best and no new bees will be produced for another three after that. It could be potentially longer.
I woukd break down all the emergency cells and order a mated queen from a reputable supplier straight away. They are all available online and you could have a new queen by Tuesday if you get cracking.

you'd be much better off buying in a quen or just cutting your losses and uniting them with another colony

BBC · Aug 22, 2021

Erichalfbee said:
You could reduce. It’s a pity you can’t find an open one with a larva you can see. Then you are sure The cell is ok.
Otherwise choose a nice dimpled fat cell in a well protected position
Then it’s up to the weather and fate if your new queen gets mated.
BUT. It’s getting late in the year, not particularly for mating but your queen to be won’t be laying for three weeks at the best and no new bees will be produced for another three after that. It could be potentially longer.
I woukd break down all the emergency cells and order a mated queen from a reputable supplier straight away. They are all available online and you could have a new queen by Tuesday if you get cracking.

Right, so another new queen asap

. Thank you for your help.