remove Q cells? or leave it to the bees?

[Mamahilz]

Had a prime swarm from my main colony last friday. Removed all QC except one capped one in a really good location.
Today (6 days later) inspected- loads and loads of bees still- Filling the Brood and a half. ( I also have 2 honey filled supers not so full of bees)
The QC was open with darkening around the rim (Which I think is indicative of a queen that has recently emerged). The bees were calmer and tolerated me spending a long time inspecting (recently they have been moody, pinging my veil and very angry if I spend too long). There were plenty of capped cells (of course) still some lava uncapped, polished cells, pollen and stores. Also there were a number of new open queen cells on the middle of the frames with lava and one smallish and already squashed closed QC in the brood-super. (I'm not sure if I squashed it......probably.....I still have my 'L-Plates')
I have removed the closed QC and have left 1 brood frame with the 3 open Q cells (with lava) while i ask for advice... I didn't see the new queen yet.
What would you advise I do?
Should I leave alone and let the bees sort it?
Should I remove the 3 open Q cells too?
Should I do an artificial swarm with the 3 QC (although i'm not sure when I'll spot the queen)?
P.s. I don't have another hive with a laying queen right now so I'm aware its a bit precarious..
P.p.s its my birthday- so bee nice to me.

 

[SimonB]

As a novice, if I had to decide with no other experienced input I would say

1. do not AS, there is nothing to AS with as the flying bees have gone - I don't know if a split is sensible though given you have lost most of the foragers
2. do not assume you have a queen, they may have issued a cast swarm, however my understanding is this only happens when there are viable unhatched queens when the first virgin queen emerges
3. you have at least a week (if I remember the lifecycle correctly) before any of the QCs would be ready

So if it were me I would leave them be and inspect again in a weeks time to see if the QCs remain. The only caveat to that is that a virgin queen should ideally be left undisturbed. I would probably inspect outside of the apparently accepted window when queen mating flights take place (after 5pm)

 

[oliver90owner]

Try this thread.

http://beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=11474

 

[beeatshellards]

HAPBEE BIRTHDAY!!