Oliver90, how do you do a AS without finding the Queen?
Similar to those above. But not quite, perhaps.
Shake/brush all bees from the frames in the bottom brood box back into the original 'bottom' brood box, placing the clear frames in another fresh empty brood box. As I remove the frames from the bottom box, I replace with foundation. I just prefer to do it this way, so I don't need to check the box for the queen (I only transfer a frame when I am absolutely sure She is not on it, so the fresh box will be 'queen-free'). Shake the top brood box (if there is one) into the bottom brood in a similar fashion, but no new foundation involved, transfer straight into another fresh box over the first new one. Check that box for a hiding queen. Then replace shaken frame box or boxes, over a Q/E, on the bottom box so they can sort themselves out. Remove the top brood(s) to a different stand, probably the following day. That part of the job done.
'All' means enough to be absolutely sure the queen is not on the frame. If there is enough time, you can always check to be sure where the qeen is, if not confident. No hassle, no fuss, just more time and returns to the apiary needed, so I rarely do it that way.
One can 'make extra time' by taking out any advanced queen cells, but risky (if you miss one).
I would normally shake the bees from the frames - don't often carry/use a bee brush and reckon the risk of damaging the queen is less that way, but always a risk.
So similar to the 'simple' basic description, but a little different. Shaken bees, gently at first, are only deposited onto the top bars, mostly of fresh frames, and I always have a space so there is less likelihood of shaking the queen twice. Take the end frames first to make space as she is less likely to be on them. Just common sense precautions while getting the job done. I reckon she will either be on the middle frames (the one I don't bother to move out, hopefully) or sometimes left hiding in the box. Never damaged a queen yet, but it will happen, as I do it more times.
You don't do this when the weather is at all cold, of course - or there may be chilled brood. Just common sense needs to prevail. Finding the queen is sooo much less hassle!
Gee! Hope I have desribed it fully as I would do it. Apols if I have missed any steps, but that lot will give you the practicalities of the way I get the job done. As I say, I've not do it very often.
Clipped queens can be so much easier. Lose the queen, but requeen from a bank of mated queens. Job done. Commercial boys don't have time to spend doing it the hobby ways.
RAB
