When to remove QCs

[Beedogg]

Hived a swarm (my first bees) about 7 weeks ago. They have developed incredibly well since then. There is now brood on around 10 frames in the brood-box and it's bulging with bees with one super nearly full of capped honey.

Today I also found a few un-capped queen cells there (about 8, spread across a number of frames). Should they be destroyed now, or not until they are sealed?

 

[drdrday]

Are they definitely queen cells and not just queen cups? Sorry if you're already aware of the difference! Queen cups are pretty constantly found in hives (bees just like building them), but they don't become charged queen cells (with an intent!) until they have an egg in them, or a larva and royal jelly.

 

[Beedogg]

Sorry, I should have been more specific. Queen cups.

 

[Beedogg]

And no offence taken at your correction! I'm an absolute beginner at this. Well corrected; thank you.

So I don't need to worry too much about un-filled queen cups?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Hived a swarm (my first bees) about 7 weeks ago. They have developed incredibly well since then. There is now brood on around 10 frames in the brood-box and it's bulging with bees with one super nearly full of capped honey.

Today I also found a few un-capped queen cells there (about 8, spread across a number of frames). Should they be destroyed now, or not until they are sealed?

Do they look like this?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Do they look like this?

Ah posted too late. They will never be sealed unless they are queen cells do leave them alone

 

[drdrday]

Nope, no need to worry. If they're empty they're harmless. I just take a peek inside them when I inspect the bees to make sure they're still empty.

 

[user 819]

It's alright for the more experienced to say not to worry but new beeks may panic once these cells become charged.
The queen is quite prolific. Depending on how swarmy they are which you won't know yet, one can either leave them to wait & see or ideally give them/ her more space. Another super above the qx will give space for the bees to move into or alternately give another BB to lay in for now. Excess stores will also be laid up in the BB so it can be extracted if there is an excess.
Depending on how much sealed brood there is, some of it should be emerging but if her laying is outstripping the emerging then it is possible that they might decide to swarm again unless more laying space is given.
Once you see eggs in the play cups keep a very close eye on them as once they develop with RJ (royal jelly) then for sure will swarm again.

I realise this is in the beginners section but the situation is the same if a beginner or a longer term beek. I know of some beeks who have had bees for years and they still have no idea on reading a colony or what they are doing or what to do next.

There are two options here that apply as with any colony.
One can be reactive and wait to see what occurs, then act ( whatever you do don't panic and knock down charged QC's).
Or one can be proactive and anticipate what could possibly happen and save losing a big swarm and the foragers as we hope leading into the main summer flow.

 

[pargyle]

It's alright for the more experienced to say not to worry but new beeks may panic once these cells become charged.
The queen is quite prolific. Depending on how swarmy they are which you won't know yet, one can either leave them to wait & see or ideally give them/ her more space. Another super above the qx will give space for the bees to move into or alternately give another BB to lay in for now. Excess stores will also be laid up in the BB so it can be extracted if there is an excess.
Depending on how much sealed brood there is, some of it should be emerging but if her laying is outstripping the emerging then it is possible that they might decide to swarm again unless more laying space is given.
Once you see eggs in the play cups keep a very close eye on them as once they develop with RJ (royal jelly) then for sure will swarm again.

I realise this is in the beginners section but the situation is the same if a beginner or a longer term beek. I know of some beeks who have had bees for years and they still have no idea on reading a colony or what they are doing or what to do next.

There are two options here that apply as with any colony.
One can be reactive and wait to see what occurs, then act ( whatever you do don't panic and knock down charged QC's).
Or one can be proactive and anticipate what could possibly happen and save losing a big swarm and the foragers as we hope leading into the main summer flow.

I would agree ... when they are queen cells ... but queen cups are just the bees playing and practising - continue to keep an eye on things as they can be the precursor to the real thing but it's when you see actual elongated queen cells - charged ones - that your really need to do something.

Lets not panic our new beekeepers into worrying unnecessarily about something they don't need to worry unduly about. There's a world of difference between play cups and queen cells.

See the difference (courtesy of Barnsley Beekeepers).

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I would agree ... when they are queen cells ... but queen cups are just the bees playing and practising - continue to keep an eye on things as they can be the precursor to the real thing but it's when you see actual elongated queen cells - charged ones - that your really need to do something.

Lets not panic our new beekeepers into worrying unnecessarily about something they don't need to worry unduly about. There's a world of difference between play cups and queen cells.

See the difference (courtesy of Barnsley Beekeepers).

View attachment 26897

 

[Apiarisnt]

"There are queen cells in my hive - what should I do? "

https://www.wbka.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/wbka-booklet-english-PDF.pdf

 

[oliver90owner]

Seems like they do need more space. An extra super immediately. Possibly more brooding space - but it is nearly July, so lay rate should be decreasing. If the honey arch is considerably reducing brooding space a super may get filled by them very quickly especially if they move stores up. They may need another super in quite a short time.

You could remove a frame or two, from the brood box to your other hive, to get another frame or two drawn. All depedent on the state, and health, of the colonies of course.

 

[Beedogg]

Thank you all so much for that. A feast of information and tips. I'm very grateful indeed.

Note to self: in future be more accurate in describing the issue...

 

[lindsay s]

"There are queen cells in my hive - what should I do? "

https://www.wbka.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/wbka-booklet-english-PDF.pdf

Best link I’ve read in along time. Thanks for that.