Re-Queening - How Long Can She Live?

[BeeMade]

Got a question for those more experienced keepers ...

I need to replace an existing queen who is leading a hot hive; she's in charge of some pretty aggressive females and that's got to change. The problem stems from my inability to kill her; she's a quick, elusive critter and I haven't been able to corner her. So,

I have a new queen waiting in a cage so my question is: How long will this queen live in the cage before she dies in the event that I can't get rid of the existing queen in the next day or so. Footnote: I've rubbed raw honey on the screen so she and the two nurse bees can eat and not starve.

Any advice will be tremendously appreciated - thanks

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

weeks if needs be with attendants, they'll need water rubbed on the cage occasionally as well - they'll feed her from the candy plug

 

[Erichalfbee]

You could split the hive and you’ll know which split has no queen pretty quickly if you’re attuned or within days if you’re not. Take out the emergency cells and introduce your new queen to that.
You now have a smaller search for the older one. Kill and unite once your new queen is laying

 

[simonforeman]

From you wording In your post sounds like you have seen her on a frame if you know shes quick?

No expert but if you have pulled the frame shes on but shes too quick for you then at least you have her out the hive, maybe put that frame in a nuc and requeen the original hive? Then sort out the execution......

 

[Ian123]

From you wording In your post sounds like you have seen her on a frame if you know shes quick?

No expert but if you have pulled the frame shes on but shes too quick for you then at least you have her out the hive, maybe put that frame in a nuc and requeen the original hive? Then sort out the execution......

If he’s found her put the old girl back in original spot to collect the older flying bees and introduce the queen to the moved section, particularly with aggressive hives younger bees are preferable to introduce queens into. As to how long they last and they can last a while but the shorter period in the cage the better. If you can bank above a hive then you can prolong.

 

[For want of a better word]

Shake all of the bees out of the hive onto a white sheet.

Once cleared of all bees reassemble but fitting a queen excluder over the floor.

Place new queen in cage but with the candy tab removed between two frames at the top of the hive.

All bees except the queen and drones ( don,t need nasty drones out there in DCAs)
will march back in.
New Queen will be released in a couple of days... but go in every three days for a week or two... they may try to bring on their own.. and break down any queen cells that have been made... look really carefully!

Chons da

 

[Gunzo]

Got a question for those more experienced keepers ...

I need to replace an existing queen who is leading a hot hive; she's in charge of some pretty aggressive females and that's got to change. The problem stems from my inability to kill her; she's a quick, elusive critter and I haven't been able to corner her. So,

I have a new queen waiting in a cage so my question is: How long will this queen live in the cage before she dies in the event that I can't get rid of the existing queen in the next day or so. Footnote: I've rubbed raw honey on the screen so she and the two nurse bees can eat and not starve.

Any advice will be tremendously appreciated - thanks

I would split your hive and put in to two nucs. Wait for QC in the one cut them out and introduce your new queen in there for them to release her.

Gives you some time to find the other queen in the other nuc and remove her.