Sad day

[Dared]

Well after moving my hive a couple weeks ago things seemed to be going along nicely, but decided to have a peek inside today and from 7 frames of bees down to less than 2 and queen dead on floor (looked like she was being balled) There are some fresh eggs on the comb but as yet no sign of any emergency queen cells.

 

[oliver90owner]

Two things.

First, that could be due to your early interference with the colony.

Second, there may have been a supercedure and that is the old queen that you have seen.

Hope it is the latter.

 

[Dared]

Two things.

First, that could be due to your early interference with the colony.

Second, there may have been a supercedure and that is the old queen that you have seen.

Hope it is the latter.

Unfortunately I had no choice with the move. If a supersedure had happened where are all the bees? Not been that many at the front of the hive. No sign of queen cells anywhere either

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

When were thee seven frames of bees? if that was autumn (or even OA Christmas time),that could just be the natural die off of winter bees.
I think RAB is talking of an autumn supersedure with two queen over winter with maybe now the old queen being killed and the new one getting revved up for the spring (It's not upon you yet you know - it's only March).
The chances of them making a new queen now and her being properly mated are extremely slim IMHO

 

[Dared]

When were thee seven frames of bees? if that was autumn (or even OA Christmas time,that could just be the natural die off of winter bees.
I think RAB is talking of n autumn supersedure with two queen over winter with maybe now the old queen being killed and the new one getting revved up for the spring (It's not upon you yet you know - it's only March).
The chances of them making a new queen now and her being properly mated are extremely slim IMHO

When I moved them 2 weeks ago there were 7 frames but that was early evening. Just thought, maybe the lack of bees might be due to them out foraging as mid day?

I suppose only time will tell as little I can do at the minute.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

How far did you move them?
Why did you open them up then? - it was only February.
Nothing you can do now anyway but wait and hope.

 

[Dared]

How far did you move them?
Why did you open them up then? - it was only February.
Nothing you can do now anyway but wait and hope.

Moved about 30 meters, I know the rule and put a nuc at the old site to pick up any that returned but as moved in the early evening and blocked entrance at new site so they would re-orientate seemed to be little losses (Also kept checking for returning bees but few seen).

Had to split as was on double brood and too heavy to lift as one. Only lifted off top box and put on a spare lid when moving.

 

[Chris B]

From your earlier thread 2 weeks:

Funny thing is I have one old comb left to be changed in the bottom box but queenie seems to be glued to it as spent all winter in the same end of the brood box on her favourite frame

First question: did you do a full inspection when you moved them? Sounds like you did. What sort of brood was there at that time? (It sounds like you've done it before too).

And what brood other than eggs can you see now?

 

[Dared]

From your earlier thread 2 weeks:

Funny thing is I have one old comb left to be changed in the bottom box but queenie seems to be glued to it as spent all winter in the same end of the brood box on her favourite frame

First question: did you do a full inspection when you moved them? Sounds like you did. What sort of brood was there at that time? (It sounds like you've done it before too).

And what brood other than eggs can you see now?

Hi,

No did not do an inspection when moved, just a quick look under the lid. Now there is a small patch of capped brood, about 100mm2, and then mainly fresh eggs, not much in between. All on the old comb!!

 

[TOBY-3652]

i must be going mad

 

[Chris B]

Okay, as you have only a small patch of brood now, then 2 weeks ago the situation was likely similar. You aren't getting enough new bees to replace the winter bees you are losing quickly now. Whatever the hindrance is, it's nothing to do with moving the hive. My guess would be you are in for a slow start but they'll pick up over the next 2 months.

 

[Dared]

Okay, as you have only a small patch of brood now, then 2 weeks ago the situation was likely similar. You aren't getting enough new bees to replace the winter bees you are losing quickly now. Whatever the hindrance is, it's nothing to do with moving the hive. My guess would be you are in for a slow start but they'll pick up over the next 2 months.

Thats if there is a new queen in there somewhere, if not then think they are doomed.

 

[Dared]

Found the old queens body outside the hive this morning so if they are queenless (at least 24 hours now) do they just carry on as normal? Do they normally become a little more defensive?

 

[Pete D]

Hi Dared,
not too far from you and will be uniting some hives over the next couple of weeks which means spare queens. I wont be squishing any as will bank them in a poly nuc with a couple of frames of bees.
We may be able to come to an arrangement which involves young red queens and full bodied red wine.

 

[Dared]

Hi Dared,
not too far from you and will be uniting some hives over the next couple of weeks which means spare queens. I wont be squishing any as will bank them in a poly nuc with a couple of frames of bees.
We may be able to come to an arrangement which involves young red queens and full bodied red wine.

Hi,

Sounds like an amicable arrangement

 

[Pete D]

Ok, we need to ascertain that your hive is queen less. I also need a decent day to find and bank the queen and then unite the residual bees. Soon as I have done this and you confirm you are queen less by doing a brood check we can plan the next move. Speed is clearly of the essence as the longer you are without a queen the worse your hive will be.

 

[Dared]

Ok, we need to ascertain that your hive is queen less. I also need a decent day to find and bank the queen and then unite the residual bees. Soon as I have done this and you confirm you are queen less by doing a brood check we can plan the next move. Speed is clearly of the essence as the longer you are without a queen the worse your hive will be.

Checked again today, very carefully and definitly no queen present. Old queens body outside hive this morning. I am away to Finland tomorrow for a couple of days back on Thursday night so I can be down your way friday onwards. If you need some help with your hives then more than happy to give you a hand.