The story so far

[kazmcc]

Our bees seem to be doing very well. Our second colony, from the AS we did about two weeks ago has a nice big fat queen cell I'm told - our mentor took them as there was nowhere suitable to put the AS hive on our site. They will be brought back once established. The colony we have had a green marked queen last year. There has been no sign of her this year, yet there are eggs and larva seen at each visit. I have been scouring those frames for a new queen but to my untrained eye she is invisible. I reckon they've replaced green Madge. I know sometimes queens are elusive but really? I have have REALLY looked. Thing is, I didn't notice any difference to the colonys behaviour, except when we did the AS, they went crackers and followed for the first time since we've had them - and they've been foraging like crazy since the weather allowed. They haven't followed since, they are back to usual, calming down very quickly. What do you reckon has happened?

 

[Lois]

Nice to see you back Karen. You are having such a good time with your bees. Did you get any honey last season?
Glad they are being kind to you. Mine are kind to me but it could be because I talk them into a stupor!

 

[kazmcc]

Thank you Lois. We didn't get anything last year, the bees kept it all. Just as well after the creosote incident. Imagine how that would taste? It is good to know other people talk to their bees too, so it's not just me going crazy Saying that, the whole group do it now. These bees are the most talked to bees in Manchester I think

 

[kazmcc]

Has green Madge been superceded? Is that what it's called?

 

[kazmcc]

Also, can someone give me tips on finding queens. I understand that the bees around her should all be facing her, and obviously I know what a queen looks like but I have had no luck at all finding green Madge or a new one. Plenty of eggs and larva when I inspect so I know someone is there. How do you guys do it?

 

[darren64]

Also, can someone give me tips on finding queens. I understand that the bees around her should all be facing her, and obviously I know what a queen looks like but I have had no luck at all finding green Madge or a new one. Plenty of eggs and larva when I inspect so I know someone is there. How do you guys do it?

The only time I've seen bees facing the queen was when I lost one under the hive,she is usually trying to get to the opposite face of the frame you are inspecting,so she is not still long enough for them to all be facing her.

 

[kazmcc]

Thanks Darren. Even though she's clearly there, it would be nice to get a look at her.

 

[roymichaeldean]

Missing queen

Hi

I've had my hive 9 months and never seen the Queen.....everything looks ok so why worry..........


x x

 

[VEG]

I have been looking for a queen in one of my hives all this season. Today while not looking for the queen she appeared lol. Now marked. Sometimes they just dont want to be found.

 

[RoseCottage]

Kaz,
to find the queen you can slowly divide and conquer. If I remember last year PolyHive made a good proposal for locating the queen...


Essentially you divide the brood into three sets of frames and check and remove with a small time gap between set searches. This is intended to give the queen time to move onto the frames. Eventually you should spot her...

Equally you can often get an idea of her location by watching the seams between frames. Where most bees are she often is too,


All the best,
Sam

 

[darren64]

my daughter is normally the one who spots them,even when they're not marked

 

[kazmcc]

Thank you everyone. I know all is well, but I'm nosey Just for my own curiosity really.