Test frame now with two small QC’s

[madasafish]

Is there still time to get a virgin queen hatched mated and laying before autumn

Depends on wasps, weather and luck.

Wasps can overpower a weak nuc.

 

[GaryH]

Yes imo I’ve just made mini nucs up with virgin queens, there are still loads of drones about and drone brood in some colony’s still

They’ve got three QC’s so I’ll leave them for a month. If not mated I’ll unite them in September

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

It's mid August for crying out loud - it's from now on that the majority of supersedures take place

 

[Curly green finger's]

It's mid August for crying out loud - it's from now on that the majority of supersedures take place

Is it? They still have to emerge and go out and mate no? Have your colony’s started kicking drones out yet?
I still stand with what I’ve said to Gary.
When is the latest time you have done any queen rearing in the season?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Is it? They still have to emerge and go out and mate no?

Have your colony’s started kicking drones out yet?

are you being serious?

When is the latest time you have done any queen rearing in the season?

And a good tip would be to remember what you posted only a few hours ago

I’ve just made mini nucs up with virgin queens, there are still loads of drones about and drone brood in some colony’s still

 

[Curly green finger's]

And ?
I’ve just inspected twenty four colony’s and 18 of them in single brood have drones and drone brood some even still filling supers.
One nuc superseding on the second site out of 8
Third apiary with 6 colony’s three doubles and three singles all have drones and drone brood.
Mating apiary with 10 mini nucs 4 have virgins and 6 are mated just over the last few days.
The one superseding has three cells and I will take two of them shortly to put in the incubator, and no they are not going to swarm.
Apiarys in Herefordshire will get inspected over t next few days.

So for me on the hill strong colony’s are still producing drones, I have know dowt that the others will be similar in Herefordshire.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

did you actually ready my post? or just decided to contradict yourself for the sake of it? - what I implied (ie - indicate the truth or existence of [something] by suggestion rather than explicit reference) was that, there's plenty of time for queen matings as we are approaching the season when many supersedures take place

 

[GaryH]

It's mid August for crying out loud - it's from now on that the majority of supersedures take place

Steady on lad

 

[GaryH]

did you actually ready my post? or just decided to contradict yourself for the sake of it? - what I implied (ie - indicate the truth or existence of [something] by suggestion rather than explicit reference) was that, there's plenty of time for queen matings as we are approaching the season when many supersedures take place

Don’t think I did see that post. I always take heed of your advice

 

[GaryH]

Still no Q but a chewed QC and another QC being well attended by the bees

Is it too late for this emerging Q to get mated

 

[Erichalfbee]

Preston?
I wouldn’t count on it.

 

[GaryH]

Preston?
I wouldn’t count on it.

Has a Q- colony ever survived winter. I could unite but don’t want to lose another Q

 

[Erichalfbee]

Has a Q- colony ever survived winter.

Yes but what do you have left ?
If a test frame confirms your suspicions just unite them.

 

[GaryH]

Yes but what do you have left ?
If a test frame confirms your suspicions just unite them.

I’m worried if there’s a virgin in the Q- colony (i didn’t take down the QCs a fort night ago)
I can’t find a normal unmarked Q never mind a Virgin. Also I could lose a good Q in the good colony ( that’s what happened last time I tried to unite this colony with a Nuc

 

[Erichalfbee]

I’m worried if there’s a virgin in the Q- colony

That’s what a test frame is for.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Or you can just leave them and shake out what’s left in the spring

 

[GaryH]

Yes I have 3 other healthy colonies and this Q- one may have successfully superseded.

 

[GaryH]

Yes I have 3 other healthy colonies and this Q- one may have successfully superseded.

Although no eggs it is late September and maybe other colonies are not laying winter bees yet

 

[Erichalfbee]

Although no eggs it is late September and maybe other colonies are not laying winter bees yet

Then feed them, treat them once with Oxalic and shut them down for winter.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Although no eggs it is late September and maybe other colonies are not laying winter bees yet

I went though several colonies today that had no brood but I’m sure they are Q+ by their behaviour. I think the queens have been on a sabbatical.