Uniting colony's.

[Curly green fingers]

Hi, I've a superseded queen that's not laying very well single brood.
And a nice prolific queen that's on brood and two half's .
Q how long after I've squeshed the superseded queen can I unite. Q2 and what would be your advice on the configuration.
Thanks in advance
Mark.

 

[Murox]

My schooling was that its not a good idea to combine during swarm season. As far as how long to wait I think just long enough for the queen pheromone to disperse - half an hour if that maybe. Newspaper method means they take perhaps 24 hours to join up. Queenless colony on top.

 

[Millet]

I have done what you want to achieve several times over the years..the bees know they are Queenless pretty quickly once the dud Queen as been dealt with..the unite can be done straight away over news paper but make sure the bees have enough space to take the unite..if not maybe Re Queen with a mated Queen or shake the lot out in the middle of the apairy..

 

[Curly green fingers]

Hi, I've a superseded queen that's not laying very well single brood.
And a nice prolific queen that's on brood and two half's .
Q how long after I've squeshed the superseded queen can I unite. Q2 and what would be your advice on the configuration.
Thanks in advance
Mark.

I wanted to add there's two honey supers on the brood and two half's

 

[Millet]

I wanted to add there's two honey supers on the brood and two half's

If you are leaving the supers on that should be plenty of room.

 

[Curly green fingers]

My schooling was that its not a good idea to combine during swarm season. As far as how long to wait I think just long enough for the queen pheromone to disperse - half an hour if that maybe. Newspaper method means they take perhaps 24 hours to join up. Queenless colony on top.

I was wondering why would you not combine during swarming season?

 

[Millet]

I was wondering why would you not combine during swarming season?

That is the main time i have had to do combines which have not been a problem up to now..touch wood..

 

[Murox]

I was wondering why would you not combine during swarming season?

Its simply what I was taught. I was rather hoping someone might have picked up on it . I imagine its to do with bees being in a "swarm fever mode", the influx of extra bees, issues of space, missing small virgins and suddenly having two in a hive - that sort of stuff. It might also be mythological hogwash. Anyone?

 

[Millet]

Its simply what I was taught. I was rather hoping someone might have picked up on it . I imagine its to do with bees being in a "swarm fever mode", the influx of extra bees, issues of space, missing small virgins and suddenly having two in a hive - that sort of stuff. It might also be mythological hogwash. Anyone?

That is the reason i have combined colonies in the past but with small drone laying Queens not virgins..you are correct to point that out though as they are a nightmare to find and the last thing you want is one of those nimble little devils killing the good Queen..

 

[Curly green fingers]

That is the reason i have combined colonies in the past but with small drone laying Queens not virgins..you are correct to point that out though as they are a nightmare to find and the last thing you want is one of those nimble little devils killing the good Queen..

I've not United today but plan to do it tomorrow.
I've had to deal with the out apiary today on the farm what a balls up my big buckfast colony had 8 charged Qcs queen still present but couldn't find the existing queen on the first attempt I found her on the second attempt in the bottom box of three she is now in a nuc box at home .
I've left 2 good qc and taken a backup nuc with one good qc and brood/ stores etc reduced to double brood removed the other 5 Qcs and put the three supers back on .
Moved on to the other 5 locals and I'm having to go back tomorrow with more equipment frames nucs .
Making frames untill dark now .
It's been an eventful afternoon to say the least.
once again!