Risk of late swarming due to lack of space

[Melbee]

Having taken two supers off for extraction, one hive is now on brood and a half, plus one super. It's a strong colony, loads of bees and, at last inspection, queen still very active with BIAS.

My question is, with overall space in the hive now quite reduced, is there any likelihood of late swarming, due to lack of room, or will the queen start laying less from around now which might solve the space problem - (if there is one!) ?

Hey ho. The thoughts that go through one's head at 4.00am...
Thanks everyone !

 

[enrico]

I wouldn't worry! She will slow down. Brood and half and super sounds like enough room to me.
E

 

[Arfermo]

Not this late.

 

[Oscarmonster]

One of my hives, reduced to single brood 2 weeks ago had filled it out with nectar. Queen found along with 7 or 8 capped queen cells. Given them a super for brood.

 

[Melbee]

I wouldn't worry! She will slow down. Brood and half and super sounds like enough room to me.
E

Thank you ! I will sleep easy.

 

[Hawklord]

An empty super under the brood box before clearing the supers provides space.

 

[Arfermo]

One of my hives, reduced to single brood 2 weeks ago had filled it out with nectar. Queen found along with 7 or 8 capped queen cells. Given them a super for brood.

Supercedure probably. Let bees get on with it.

 

[peteinwilts]

Not this late.

I have caught many a swarm in September.

Early feeding and an 'Indian summer' = swarm due to congestion

A small number of my hives go into Winter with a double brood. If yours is very large, then yours may require it also.

 

[Melbee]

I have caught many a swarm in September.

Early feeding and an 'Indian summer' = swarm due to congestion

A small number of my hives go into Winter with a double brood. If yours is very large, then yours may require it also.

A member of our association caught a swarm in early October one year. Very unusual I know, but it can happen.

There is still laying room in the 'half' of the brood and a half and still some room above the QE in the super for more stores.
I will keep an eye on them but at this stage of the year, I would rather not be doing the regular close inspections that were needed earlier on.

I suspect the bees would rather I left them alone too !

 

[Oscarmonster]

Supercedure probably. Let bees get on with it.

Dont think so.

 

[REDWOOD]

7 or 8 probably not

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

 

[Arfermo]

Dont think so.

Why not please? Supposed to be quite common in August.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

The amount of QC's would suggest swarming not supercedure Maybe a read of this would enlighten you somewhat

http://www.wbka.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/There-Are-Queen-Cells-In-My-Hive-WBKA-WAG.pdf

 

[drex]

One of mine recently swarmed on 2 QC's. You never know.

 

[Oscarmonster]

7 or 8 queen cells on frame bottom and sides in congested brood box spells sswarm cells to me.
I had one swarm on what appeared to be a single supersedure cell this time last year. 1 cell in middle of frame. You never can tell with bees.

 

[Nige.Coll]

been ill couldn't inspect my bees and when i looked this weekend i have lost a swarm from a nuc :-( . only had 2 queen cells but that was enough.
Oh well i had too many anyway.
Drawn 4 frames out and buggered off .

 

[beeno]

7 or 8 queen cells on frame bottom and sides in congested brood box spells sswarm cells to me.
I had one swarm on what appeared to be a single supersedure cell this time last year. 1 cell in middle of frame. You never can tell with bees.

Hi Oscarmonster,
That is a very important 'incident' to report to the forum as it shows that it is only really possible to confirm a supercedure after the event. It is more to supercedure judgements than just the appearance of one or two QCs and their position.
Thanks for sharing.