Queens

[Clemcook]

Hello,

NB. This thread is meant to be here.

I wondered how late into the season have people had success introducing a mated queen?

And any recommendations for suppliers?

Thank you

 

[mazzamazda]

You can introduce a mated queen as late as you can open the hive, probably late october in the UK. Actually they are more likely to accept when desperate, make them hopelessly queenless first.

 

[Hedgerow Honey]

I have seven hives to split to make overwinter nuc's, the queen supplier advised leaving it as late as possible in August.

 

[B+.]

I wondered how late into the season have people had success introducing a mated queen?

Why are you asking this question?
If you don't allow the queen sufficient time to raise her own brood, she'll be going into winter with old bees which are daughters of another queen. This isn't ideal. Most of those bees would die overwinter which would put the survival of the queen at risk.
I would aim for July/August because I can be sure that all the workers that made up the nuc to get her established will be dead by winter. Of course, there will be some variation depending on the conditions where you live. This is just the guide that I work to.

 

[Hivemaker.]

I wondered how late into the season have people had success introducing a mated queen?

Okay to introduce at any time of year.

 

[Clemcook]

Thanks everyone,

I have a split which I believe to be queenless, rather than seeing the numbers dwindle I thought I would try a new queen before resorting to uniting.

 

[For want of a better word]

UNITE

Better to have one colony that gets through to next season than two dead ones!

That is why it is a good idea to have a few queenright colonies in nucs... that can be overwintered if not needed!!

Yeghes da

 

[Clemcook]

Definition food for thought later on when I get more advanced!

I have one strong queen right colony, it's the other one causing the problem,

Thanks

 

[Millet]

Why are you asking this question?
If you don't allow the queen sufficient time to raise her own brood, she'll be going into winter with old bees which are daughters of another queen. This isn't ideal. Most of those bees would die overwinter which would put the survival of the queen at risk.
I would aim for July/August because I can be sure that all the workers that made up the nuc to get her established will be dead by winter. Of course, there will be some variation depending on the conditions where you live. This is just the guide that I work to.

Obviously because she is unsure and a newbie and unsure HELP Don't ridicule .

 

[B+.]

Obviously because she is unsure and a newbie and unsure HELP Don't ridicule .

I wasn't ridiculing anyone.

 

[beebopper]

I wasn't ridiculing anyone.

Did not come across to me as ridiculing.