Swarming

[Neil]

Hi all,
Just wondered will my bees swarm if they are superseding a failing queen there is a few queen cells but only about five frames of brood if that. I have been told by a beekeeper they won’t swarm because there isn't enough bees in the hive is that right?

 

[grizzly]

Hi Neil
How many cells are there and whereabouts on the frame ? you could always open one up and see if its been built on the face of the comb or they have extended a cell from the frame. If its the latter its probably an emergency cell.
With regards to supercedure and swarm its a bit more difficult, i would not leave more than two in there.

I have not heard of a nuc swarming but if more than one queen hatches she could fly with a handful of bees. ( i made this mistake last weekend, a hive of mine had built QC, they are queenless, i released 4 virgins and decided to leave them to it, when i go back next weekend ill be lucky if a few have not flown and taken some bees with them.) i tend to learn the hard way sometimes.

 

[Neil]

Hi Grizzly,
I know there isn,t a queen in the hive and there is about two or three emergency cells but will this nuc size hive swarm?

 

[grizzly]

one cell should hatch out first, and she should kill the others, in which case providing there is room on the frames for her to lay once mated, i doubt very much that they will swarm.

However, i am far from an expert, this is only my first full year, perhaps one of the more experienced could interject.