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Rosti

Drone Bee
Joined
Jul 29, 2009
Messages
1,755
Reaction score
14
Location
North Yorks, UK
Hive Type
14x12
Number of Hives
4
Well not strictly a Nuc, this was a secondary swarm, hived late May. As with all my bees it has originated from the local 'fairly black' bees - location Yorkshire (York). Based on my hives, good build up, fairly gentle (unless queenless!) but not that prolific with regard excess honey production (my one wintered hive drew out 2 supers and gave 22lbs on rape this year). I don't breed nucs for sale so haven't been in this situation before. , Queen has now mated. I did 4 of these (captured swarms) this year to build my colonies up and this is now surplus to my requirements and was about to be combined with my weakest colony. Because it is a secondary swarm this is confirmed as a 2010 queen, just into laying now (not marked yet), colony on 5xDN4 Hoffman (Std National Brood) frames in an OMF 5 frame nuc, it is now bursting with bees and needs to go to a full brood box pronto - or get combined. Has already had oxalic varroa treatment.

I would not really want to let the nuc box itself go and anyway if you left this colony in the nuc much longer I suspect it would swarm. I will probably combine this weekend coming (26/27 June) if no one interested.

PM if you want to discuss price etc further. R
 
Last edited:
Hello Rosti, did a hive inspection today to find one of my hives has balled the new replacement queen.

Did you find and remove the old queen then wait for 24 hours before introducing the new caged queen?
 
Yes it was queen less for 2 days, there are no capped brood or eggs.
I really need to get this hive started, its just cost me one bought-in queen. I dont want to spend another £30 to find they ball her agin. I could combine it with the hive next to it, but would put me to one hive.
 
Introduction was with a queen cage, candy at one end, left for a day, and a half removed yesterday afternoon. Checked to see shed got out ok removed the cage. Found her dead out side tonight. Im thinking because of no eggs and brood, they are defensive to foreign bees.
 
There were two workers in the cage, i have read that some people take them out of the cage, i left them in. I don't feel it would of made a difference.
 
Hi

After any introduction do not touch for at least a week after her expected release, queens can balled within this period if the hive is disturbed/inspected.


Regards Ian
 
Somthing missing on this thread....it's about selling a nuc....then jumps to queen introduction?....virgin queen most likely killed new mated queen.
 
Your right Hivemaker,I have just noticed a post has been edited.
Thats why its best to put a time limit on posts editing,else a thread makes no sense at times.
 
There were two workers in the cage, i have read that some people take them out of the cage, i left them in. I don't feel it would of made a difference.

Leaving workers in the cage will trigger a hostile response. They should always be removed first. I'm sure some have left them in and been lucky, but luck always runs out.
 
Your post got me thinking and I googled the question, it would seem that some do say it is not necessary to remove the queens escorts before introduction, so once again this fab hobby throws yet another grey area at us, however I think I will stick to my own practice and always remove her escort before introduction.
 
I am sorry this is in the wrong section of the forum, but it originally was a PM sent to Rosti. I however posted it hear, which was seen by admin before i was able to edit it.
The full story is this i have two hives one is a nuc which was hived two months ago the other is a shock swarm which was purchased around 6 weeks ago with a LAYING queen. This hive i have had trouble with the bees have filled the brood box with stores and have not drawn any comb in the super. So i removed the EQ, sprayed the foundation with 1/1. That was last week i opened the hive on fri/sat, they had not done anything only brought in more stores. The brood box is now completely full, even if the queen did lay she would be very limited on space. I found the queen and on advise from another beek. removed her and re-queened. I removed the queen cage on mon afternoon. Didn't go though any frames, super off, cage out done. I found the new queen dead outside last night.
I am seriously considering combining the two hives using the newspaper method.
There seems to be much debate over the best way, hears my plan. About 10pm tonight around dusk take off the super on the donor hive leaving the QE on, place a sheet or two of news paper over, place the other brood box on top then leave alone for a week let the bees sort them selfs out. I have heard suggestions of beeks spraying the bees with lemon grass oil or lavender? Is it advisable to move the hive or keep it where it is? also would i have to keep the double brood box? or could it be removed when the bees have moved the stores up? This is possibly the best solution for me at this point in time as neither hive is at full strength.
I do have a spare hive, i maybe able to hive some more bees before the end of the season, as i would prefer to have at least two hives in my apiary.
Jamie.
 
Leaving workers in the cage will trigger a hostile response. They should always be removed first. I'm sure some have left them in and been lucky, but luck always runs out.

Norton who breeds thousands of bees annually suggests removal of workers ,I suppose to comply with custom and practice but has posted in the past that leaving the workers in ensures that the Queen is attended to wholst the colony is deciding whether or not to release her . After all they can ignore her for a few days !!.
I don't remove the workers and acceptance is better than average :coolgleamA:

John Wilkinson
 
Your right Hivemaker,I have just noticed a post has been edited.
Thats why its best to put a time limit on posts editing,else a thread makes no sense at times.

Still think it's better without time limit,especially the 30 second one of the other day......:leaving:
 
Norton who breeds thousands of bees annually suggests removal of workers ,I suppose to comply with custom and practice but has posted in the past that leaving the workers in ensures that the Queen is attended to wholst the colony is deciding whether or not to release her . After all they can ignore her for a few days !!.
I don't remove the workers and acceptance is better than average :coolgleamA:

John Wilkinson

Hi John

I guess as ever there is no right or wrong way, just personal preference.

I have only introduced 4 queens but i have not lost any, I just think if you are paying your hard earned wedge for something so delicate, its surely better to be cautious.
 
Erm, no he doesn't John.

Read his introduction advice which is attached.

Thanks for posting Rogers advise WPC. I will follow this guide from now on with regards to keeping the candy plug covered and I will pass on the guide to the new association members I'm co-mentor to.
 

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