Snelgrove 2 Question about supering please

[Brigsy]

Thanks. When you say pop her between two frames, do you mean just let her out of the marking cage?

If I don't see sealed QC I will leave it a bit longer.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Yes...just drop her in gently.
I'm sure the QCs will be sealed. Remember they are emergency cells and some will be made on older larvae. Wally gives you a max of 12 days with that in mind. Personally i would be a bit nervous waiting 12 days

 

[Brigsy]

Thanks a million. I hadn't considered they may not be made from scratch. Always learning!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Just did the second bit on one of mine. Day 9. 25 sealed QCs, some rather Good looking.

 

[Brigsy]

Wow. I shall report back later.

 

[Brigsy]

So,

Pleased to report:

Q plus side full of eggs and found my queen. Managed to get her into my German style queen marking pot, (despite her flying onto my bee suit and then back onto the comb! Heart in mouth)

All QC's torn down during the week.

Clipped one wing.

Knocked down about ten emergency cells on the Q- side and introduced her successfully.

A few thoughts:

Queens don't just walk into the pot! Maybe I shall place directly over her and place tool underneath next time.

When holding the pot trying to get her out, the bees noticed her and I soon had a handful of bees!

Not much for her to lay in as they haven't really drawn much out from the two frames I put in last week. (Weather beat us I suppose)

If I hadn't of brushed the frames clear on the Q- side I don't think I would have seen the emergency queen cells. They were well covered.

So, so far so good and thanks for your help again.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Not much for her to lay in as they haven't really drawn much out from the two frames I put in last week. (Weather beat us I suppose)

If I hadn't of brushed the frames clear on the Q- side I don't think I would have seen the emergency queen cells. They were well covered.

A drawn frame is handy. Never throw any away till you have a good selection. Even a holey one is better than nothing and can be worked out once it's done its job.
As for looking for QCs those frames need to be shaken clear of bees.

 

[Brigsy]

Understood. Thanks. I'm out of drawn frames. I hope they'll cope.

 

[Brigsy]

I'm back sorry. I'm essentially asking the same question I started with!

Now I have the A/S in one brood box which is barely drawn out with the original super on. (this is still largely foundation bar a couple of frames)

It seems logical to me to take that super off to let the bees concentrate on drawing comb in the brood box for the queen to lay in. Although this box also has the flying bees so they need somewhere to store?!

And I have just added a super of foundation to the parent colony which is now queen less as they are full to bursting.

Logic says to me, take the super off the a/s and put it on the parent colony and take the super of foundation off for now.

Sound a good idea?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Yes, Swap the supers as you suggest.
I might even move a frame of brood to the AS
Have you a see through crown board? How full is that AS box at night?
Might it go in a nuc box

 

[Brigsy]

Thanks again re the supers.

I do have clear crown boards. I will look. A Nuc may be a good idea. Ta.