Single egg cup

[bjosephd]

Inspected yesterday, 2 hives have one single egg cup with one single egg sat upright and dry in the bottom.

A handful of other play cups, but all others completely empty.

In Wally Shaw's "There Are Queen Cells in My Hive" 'manual' he says this is common even in a non swarming hive so go onto 'amber' alert.... so... check in a couple of days? I've marked the positions of said cells.

What do others do in this situation?

Thanks!

B

 

[drex]

Same as you have. Often see larvae in those cells at next inspection though.

 

[bjosephd]

Same as you have. Often see larvae in those cells at next inspection though.

And thennn what do you do?

On those second inspections do tend to also see a lot more queen cells? If inly one larva in one cup but not on the face of the comb I would be a bit hmmmm...

...back to Wally Shaw for some reading I think!

 

[Brigsy]

I have been of the "noted for reference " but no action taken. But I read a good point this week that if that egg is on day 3 it could be capped within 5/6 days. I.e. Before my next inspection.

So was considering being an egg in play cup squisher.

 

[bjosephd]

I have been of the "noted for reference " but no action taken. But I read a good point this week that if that egg is on day 3 it could be capped within 5/6 days. I.e. Before my next inspection.

So was considering being an egg in play cup squisher.

It is a tricky one isn't it. I inspected yesterday, but am tempted to duck in tomorrow or thursday to see what they might be playjng at a couple of days later.

Best get my swarm management hat on!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Egg in cup:look three days
Royal jelly in cup: AS

 

[JWF]

I always destroy queen cups. Probably doesn't achieve much, but makes me feel like I've done something lol.

As said above, if they're charged with royal jelly, then it's AS time!

 

[bjosephd]

Ergh... that terrible moment that 3 become 6 and huge boxes arrive at the front door £££

 

[REDWOOD]

Look at swarming as an advantage to beekeepers if handled correctly.

It does not necessarily mean you double your hive numbers, you can reunite or keep a few nucs to go into winter.

The handiest bit of kit this time of year is a few nuc boxes

 

[madasafish]

I find early squishing and attention to detail will stop swarming...I have a carniolan hive which tried last year . I kept knocking down QCs. They gave up. Now full of bees and no QCs and original Queen.

 

[beesbeesbees]

Yeah, the only thing is that I squished all queen cups last year, and the bees pretty much just swarmed anyways. in the wally shaw pdf he says that squishing queen cells doesn't work, which fits with my experience. anyways last inspection i found an egg(not larvae) in a queen cup

 

[oliver90owner]

The simple way is to react accordingly. Squashing queen cups - or just 'play' cups - is a waste of time and effort. Far better to do what is necessary. A/S if required, get rid of the swarming instinct and move on.

That way the bees are not continually interfered with, they do not swarm while you are not looking and re-uniting or increase is your choice and under your control.

Requeening might even be a simple way forward. Your choice. Plenty of options, when you actually think about it.

 

[bjosephd]

UPDATE:

Two days later, one of the hives had the same dry egg in a queen cup, and another 2 or three more just the same.

The second hive had the same single dry egg in the queen cup.

Both hives heaving.

This evening I will be mostly counting out spare frames and making preps for a like artificial swarm or two tomorrow!

Best pre-empt I reckon... and this seems as good a sign as any... don't want to lose a harvest... but certainly don't want to lose a swarm either!

 

[oliver90owner]

They are not going until there is royal jelly in those queen cells.

Stop panicking. They should not swarm until 5 days (normally) after the egg hatches.

An A/S is preemptive. No need to preempt a preemptive move.

Has the queen reduced or stopped laying? Have they slimmed her down ready for flight? Are there lots of bees doing nothing in the hive - just hanging around inside the hive instead of foraging?

Be ready by all means, but stop panicking.

 

[bjosephd]

Haha... pre-pre-emptive move.

All bees seem busy, more or less, I've given them plenty of space and frames to draw out.

Eggs still being laid.