alynewbee
House Bee
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2011
- Messages
- 153
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Near Rotherham
- Hive Type
- 14x12
- Number of Hives
- 2
Dear All,
I'm (not for the first time) a bit puzzled.
On 20/6 I found two sealed queen cells and several others with larvae in. Did an artificial swarm as per Hooper. I removed the two sealed queen cells and marked the position of the two unsealed one. Both looked nice and big and juicy. Both were in the middle of the frame (supercedure?). I'm leaving that hive (the one with queen cells) alone for three weeks for the new queen to emerge and hopefully mate. Following week I checked my swarmed hive (with old queeny in) and all was well, no queen cells and plenty of foundation drawing going on. But this week there is a big unsealed queen cell in the middle of one of the frames with a fat larvae in it (sorry the pic isn't so great but it gives an idea of position). It appears to be the only one. The old queen was in there too. Saw larvae in several sizes but didn't spot eggs - probably my eyes.
So - what to do? My bees are in my garden so I want to avoid a swarm at all costs - but having just done an AS a couple of weeks ago I have no spare equipment to do another one. Are they trying to supercede? Should I just shut up shop for three weeks or so and let them get on with it ?
I'd really appreciate any help / ideas / wisdom you guys could offer.
Many thanks
Aly
I'm (not for the first time) a bit puzzled.
On 20/6 I found two sealed queen cells and several others with larvae in. Did an artificial swarm as per Hooper. I removed the two sealed queen cells and marked the position of the two unsealed one. Both looked nice and big and juicy. Both were in the middle of the frame (supercedure?). I'm leaving that hive (the one with queen cells) alone for three weeks for the new queen to emerge and hopefully mate. Following week I checked my swarmed hive (with old queeny in) and all was well, no queen cells and plenty of foundation drawing going on. But this week there is a big unsealed queen cell in the middle of one of the frames with a fat larvae in it (sorry the pic isn't so great but it gives an idea of position). It appears to be the only one. The old queen was in there too. Saw larvae in several sizes but didn't spot eggs - probably my eyes.
So - what to do? My bees are in my garden so I want to avoid a swarm at all costs - but having just done an AS a couple of weeks ago I have no spare equipment to do another one. Are they trying to supercede? Should I just shut up shop for three weeks or so and let them get on with it ?
I'd really appreciate any help / ideas / wisdom you guys could offer.
Many thanks
Aly
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