Swarm left early

[drex]

Last did a full inspection in this hive 8 days ago. Queen not seen but eggs and definitely no swarm cells. Today , fewer bees, lots of unsealed queen cells with small grubs,no sealed cells, no eggs and youngest larvae about day 5 old. Queen not seen. She was obviously keen to go. Will thin them out in a few days time.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Yes...they will swarm on unsealed cells.
8 days?
Husband and I were checking some of ours twice weekly.
All ASd now so checking frequently but for different reasons.

 

[sherwood]

Last did a full inspection in this hive 8 days ago. Queen not seen but eggs and definitely no swarm cells. Today , fewer bees, lots of unsealed queen cells with small grubs,no sealed cells, no eggs and youngest larvae about day 5 old. Queen not seen. She was obviously keen to go. Will thin them out in a few days time.

rule of thumb but this year has not been the case, bees will usually swarm on the queen cell being sealed ie the eighth day after being laid so examining your bees every 7th or 6th day is a better bet.
That being said I have had bees swarm on an egg being laid in a QC this year and one case of them swarming with no QC's present whatsoever. Whilst another swarmed with no eggs being present. I keep giving them my reading material so they will do as I want them to do but they obviously dont want to read it and conform.

 

[BeeJayBee]

I keep giving them my reading material so they will do as I want them to do but they obviously dont want to read it and conform.

That's because you didn't give them reading lessons first!

 

[dexter's shed]

I have had bees swarm on an egg being laid in a QC this year and one case of them swarming with no QC's present whatsoever. Whilst another swarmed with no eggs being present. I keep giving them my reading material so they will do as I want them to do but they obviously dont want to read it and conform.

I find this happens when previous cells are removed, then tend to go quicker than norm on the next lot

 

[Erichalfbee]

I find this happens when previous cells are removed, then tend to go quicker than norm on the next lot

Yes, if you try to prevent swarming by breaking down queen cells the bees can start the next lot on 2/3 day old larvae as well as in queen cups. So that's sealed 2/3 days after you've been in and away 4 days before your next inspection.

 

[Obee1]

Yes, if you try to prevent swarming by breaking down queen cells the bees can start the next lot on 2/3 day old larvae as well as in queen cups. So that's sealed 2/3 days after you've been in and away 4 days before your next inspection.

I don't know how Beeks with more than a couple of hives and full time jobs manage. My four/ five hives keep me busy and seem to require attention a couple of times each week. Definitely more than the one hour per week I was planning on spending.

 

[YorkshireBees]

I don't know how Beeks with more than a couple of hives and full time jobs manage. My four/ five hives keep me busy and seem to require attention a couple of times each week. Definitely more than the one hour per week I was planning on spending.

Tell me about it!!

I use a form of Demaree / vertical AS and when I get the timing right I can usually leave inspection of the bottom brood box for 2-3 weeks.
This helps immensely in reducing my time spent inspecting during swarming season. From approx 16-18 colonies I have only lost 2-3 swarms so far! One of which was completely my own fault for not inspecting a prime swarm to check they had enough space soon enough!

 

[dexter's shed]

I don't know how Beeks with more than a couple of hives and full time jobs manage. My four/ five hives keep me busy and seem to require attention a couple of times each week. Definitely more than the one hour per week I was planning on spending.

have 10 hives, but being a night worker helps