What did you do in the Apiary today?

[bjosephd]

Bugger... thought it was a play cup, squished it, it was actually most likely the ONLY supercedure cell in 2 boxes.

Damn.

Any thoughts?

Just leave then to rebuild one f they so choose?

Still can't get my head round this supercedure thing. Do they only make one queen cell?

 

[B+.]

Bugger... thought it was a play cup, squished it, it was actually most likely the ONLY supercedure cell in 2 boxes.

Damn.

Any thoughts?

Is the queen still there (and laying)? If so, no problem, you may have set them back a while, but, they'll recover.

If they have eggs/larvae, they'll recover. If not, give them a frame of young larvae from another hive.

I see so many posts over the spring/summer months where people are constantly in crisis mode (this isn't a criticism because I used to be just like this before I learned a better way). I recommend that you consider a deliberate queen replacement process so you always have young queens (preferably from good stock) in your hives. These are much less likely to be superceded or swarm.

 

[bjosephd]

Is the queen still there (and laying)? If so, no problem, you may have set them back a while, but, they'll recover.



If they have eggs/larvae, they'll recover. If not, give them a frame of young larvae from another hive.



I see so many posts over the spring/summer months where people are constantly in crisis mode (this isn't a criticism because I used to be just like this before I learned a better way). I recommend that you consider a deliberate queen replacement process so you always have young queens (preferably from good stock) in your hives. These are much less likely to be superceded or swarm.

Thanks B+

Yeah eggs larvae, and all sorts in there, they are fine, which is why a supercedure cell was unexpected... although 'let the bees tell you' and I understand spring or autumn is supercedure time.

I want to get queen rearing really (for exactly the reason you mentioned), just still feel it's too early.... ideally of course I have over wintered young queens in nucs then I can simply swap them and the old queen is on standby in a nuc and potentially donating brood where required.

Keep meaning to put myself on your carny waiting list!

 

[B+.]

ideally of course I have over wintered young queens in nucs then I can simply swap them and the old queen is on standby in a nuc and potentially donating brood where required.

That's for emergencies...I wouldn't suggest that anyone relies on it as a standard approach. Far better to introduce young queens to nucs in plenty of time to build up for winter (e.g. July/August so she has her own workers going into winter).
We all make mistakes and things we had planned to do go wrong (I never believe someone who says things always go perfectly), but, with a good (marked) queen in your hive, that's one less thing to worry about.

 

[Poly Hive]

In my thoughts a strain that supercedes rather than swarm is far preferable. And I can assure you a LOT less hassle and work.

PH

 

[B+.]

'let the bees tell you'

always assumes that you are able to understand what they're saying ;-)

 

[JWF]

Went through the hive that swarmed last weekend and culled all the queen cells bar one nice big juicy one.

Consolidated a colony that i united on Saturday into a single brood box - they hadn't wasted any time chewing a massive hole in the newspaper

Got a massive amount of wax to render later once everyone's gone to bed - i always get complaints about the smell otherwise!

 

[Hachi]

I see so many posts over the spring/summer months where people are constantly in crisis mode (this isn't a criticism because I used to be just like this before I learned a better way). I recommend that you consider a deliberate queen replacement process so you always have young queens (preferably from good stock) in your hives. These are much less likely to be superceded or swarm.

Perhaps you would start a new thread, in the beginners section perhaps, sharing your skills / wisdom on this topic? So as to not hijack this thread. I think many might benefit.

 

[Millet]

Perhaps you would start a new thread, in the beginners section perhaps, sharing your skills / wisdom on this topic? So as to not hijack this thread. I think many might benefit.

A fellow member asked for advice on this thread and B+ offered advice, where is the harm in that.

 

[Helen]

Checked my largest colony. They've now filled 19 14x12 brood frames of the dartington, and are well onto their second super. Nice calm bees as well. The queen is very elusive though. Normally, I can easily spot them, but this one .. is difficult.

 

[Hachi]

A fellow member asked for advice on this thread and B+ offered advice, where is the harm in that.

None it was a genuine request.

Sensitive arnt we?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Checked my largest colony. They've now filled 19 14x12 brood frames of the dartington

Sheeeeesh!
What sort of bees?

 

[Plenty of honey]

Finally got back in to the home apiary, last three days too cold with stupid nagging northerly wind and drizzle, Not to mention the Family and Easter grrrr, Putting up a sign at home now, "do not disturb until October" however bees are good. Most brood factories now on 5 over 5, after being more patient this year, Still too cold to start stocking first cell builder. Planning to make splits in 2 weeks, Will need to get cell builder going soon.

Blackthorn and Apples now in full flower. In a week and its out with the feeders as the flow goes! and more Grrrrrrr

 

[Helen]

Sheeeeesh!
What sort of bees?

Just local variety, with a HM queen. They came though winter strongly, and have just gone nuts since. I've attached a pic I took today.

 

[pargyle]

Checked my largest colony. They've now filled 19 14x12 brood frames of the dartington, and are well onto their second super. Nice calm bees as well. The queen is very elusive though. Normally, I can easily spot them, but this one .. is difficult.

Bees do seem to form big colonies in long hives ... very useful as donor colonies - they don't miss a frame or two of capped brood which can very be very helpful when added to a honey producing colony or one you want to build up,

Keep an eye open for queen cells though ... my long hive starts to make swarm preps once she's laid up that many frames .. watch out for lots of drone cells at the bottom of the frames.

 

[Helen]

Yes. But with them filling up the dartington, there's no space in there to do the AS which is one of the features of that hive. Would also really like to find that queen in there next time.

 

[bjosephd]

Bees do seem to form big colonies in long hives ... very useful as donor colonies - they don't miss a frame or two of capped brood which can very be very helpful when added to a honey producing colony or one you want to build up,



Keep an eye open for queen cells though ... my long hive starts to make swarm preps once she's laid up that many frames .. watch out for lots of drone cells at the bottom of the frames.

Makes me really want to start building my lang long hive.

 

[pargyle]

Yes. But with them filling up the dartington, there's no space in there to do the AS which is one of the features of that hive. Would also really like to find that queen in there next time.

You can do a very simple split in the Dartington ... you just put a division board in the middle then apportion the frames between the two halves and open the second entrance. Your queen will be in one half (if you can find her all the better) and as long as you have eggs/1 day old larvae on frames either side of the division board then they will build a queen cell or two in the half without the queen cells. It's not going to stop them swarming but as long as you don't already have queen cells being built it may well slow them down a bit. As the brood emerges from the frames on the side without the queen swap them for frames with brood from the other side to give your existing queen space to lay ... bit of a juggling act required ...

Unfortunately, you do really need another hive ... at least a nuc ... once you have a queen cell in the half without the queen you can transfer that and a few frames to the Nuc and put some more frames in the Dartington and remove the division board ..

I found this in the second season with my long hive as they do build up very quickly. I built one Nuc and was given another and these got me out of a hole but ... it rapidly became obvious that I needed another full hive and not having the time to build another long hive I invested in a Paynes 14 x 12 Poly ... and I must admit that, next to the LDH, they are about as ideal a hive as I could find. I now have several.

The alternative is to look out for another second hand Dartington (new ones are over £339 so not the most economic to buy) - they are not that popular these days and you could probably pick up another one for not a lot - they do come up occasionally on ebay and gumtree but you have to just watch out for them.

 

[Tremyfro]

That is all fab advice on how to use the long hive Mr P.
Mine are only just getting going as it has been mainly cold and windy here. At least there are no worries about swarming around here yet!

 

[B+.]

Mine are only just getting going as it has been mainly cold and windy here. At least there are no worries about swarming around here yet!

Famous last words?