Unexpected queen cell

Popparand · Jun 24, 2019

I requeened a small colony three weeks ago and everything was going according to plan until last week when a queen cell (occupied) appeared in the middle of a frame. The queen is laying well considering the limited number of bees in the box and there's plenty of room for expansion. I cant believe they are thinking of swarming or superceding, so why on earth would they want to create a new queen? And what should I do with it?

Any advice much appreciated!

eltalia · Jun 24, 2019

Popparand said:
I requeened a small colony three weeks ago and everything was going according to plan until last week when a queen cell (occupied) appeared in the middle of a frame. The queen is laying well considering the limited number of bees in the box and there's plenty of room for expansion. I cant believe they are thinking of swarming or superceding, so why on earth would they want to create a new queen? And what should I do with it?

Any advice much appreciated!

In saying "limited" just how small a colony are we
looking at here? The state of combs around the laying
pattern...?... what percentages (roughly) are uncapped
stores?

Bill

maddydog · Jun 25, 2019

See this quite often in colonies where I've introduced a new queen. If there's nothing obviously wrong with the queen and the laying pattern is fine I squish any qcs in the first few weeks.

SDM · Jun 25, 2019

maddydog said:
See this quite often in colonies where I've introduced a new queen. If there's nothing obviously wrong with the queen and the laying pattern is fine I squish any qcs in the first few weeks.

+1 they sometimes make a 2nd QC , but settle after that.
Newly mated queens have a reduced pheromone package , not helped by being off lay when installed. The bees see that as not being up to the job and attempt supersedure. Once she's up to speed she'll be fine.

Popparand · Jun 25, 2019

SDM said:
+1 they sometimes make a 2nd QC , but settle after that.
Newly mated queens have a reduced pheromone package , not helped by being off lay when installed. The bees see that as not being up to the job and attempt supersedure. Once she's up to speed she'll be fine.

That's encouraging. Should I squish the QC, or is it worth trying to introduce it into a queenless colony?