Suspect Queenless

[Galaxy55]

Why would a queenless hive not build queen cells when given a frame of eggs?

 

[B+.]

Why would a queenless hive not build queen cells when given a frame of eggs?

Are you SURE they are queenless? It is also possible that they are just too old. How long have they been queenless?

 

[Galaxy55]

About 3 weeks and have had 2 frames of eggs and still no QC. Lots of bees but no brood. We have had bad weather for a number of days just seems too long without any evidence of a queen. Have a nuc I could combine them with but wanted to make sure there wasn't a queen lurking somewhere all attempts to identify this have pointed towards a queen being present but haven't been able to find her.

 

[Beefriendly]

About 3 weeks and have had 2 frames of eggs and still no QC. Lots of bees but no brood. We have had bad weather for a number of days just seems too long without any evidence of a queen. Have a nuc I could combine them with but wanted to make sure there wasn't a queen lurking somewhere all attempts to identify this have pointed towards a queen being present but haven't been able to find her.

Possibly a unmated virgin or a small badly mated queen. They can take much longer than your patience to start laying...if they ever do.

 

[Galaxy55]

Yes that's just it - if they ever do.

 

[Millet]

As per Beefriendly ..them unmated virgins are a pain in the ass ..even more so if they are as small as a worker..they can be found but it is time consuming..

 

[Galaxy55]

Thanks for the replies, just checking I wasn't missing anything.

 

[eltalia]

Thanks for the replies, just checking I wasn't missing anything.

IF you must know for sure sift all bees through a QE.
It is not something tho' I could recommend doing willy nilly, like
just out of curiousity.


Bill