Stupid or suicidal?

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Popparand

Field Bee
Joined
Nov 3, 2017
Messages
511
Reaction score
21
Location
Suffolk
Hive Type
National
Number of Hives
10
One of my smaller colonies came through the winter ok and the queen started to lay, but has now stopped and only a few capped brood cells remain. So if she was past it why didn't the workers supersede while they had the chance? Are they suicidal or just plain dumb?
 
I take it the queen is still in there.
I didn't spot her last time I looked. I'm going to leave them for a couple of weeks before reaching a decision.

But I have a colony in another apiary in the same state and I just recently put in a test frame. I'll see what they do.

At this time of year I am reluctant to deplete vigorous colonies by plundering their brood. If the two weaklings don't turn round I'll replace them with swarms.
 

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