Will they still try to swarm....

[simonforeman]

I have asked this somewhere else but still unsure....

I ordered 2 mated queens and they arrived safely in the post Friday. Time was limited after work and other commitments so what I thought was a simple task of re-queening 1 hive and replacing a defensive queen in another was not... q- hive straight forward but the other

Queen was to replace a defensive queen. Plan was make up nuc from hive and new queen in and combine in a few weeks. Into the hive to find her and I find queen cells.
So question .. ..I took the old queen out the hive and into nuc, knocked the QCs down and added the new caged queen, will this be ok and will they lose the swarming mode with the new queen when she's out the cage 2 empty frames of comb added to replace the combs that went into the nuc so lots of space plus the 3 supers there on?

Due to time this is how they are now... are they ok or will new queen when out and accepted swarm?

 

[mjt68]

They'll do better if queenless with no hope of a new one. Perhaps leave new queen in cage (cover candy if you've removed the protector) then go back in 3 days to knock down any last QCs made from last eggs the old one laid and remove the candy cover.

You also need to consider why they wanted to swarm - check they have enough space etc.

 

[BMH]

They'll do better if queenless with no hope of a new one. Perhaps leave new queen in cage (cover candy if you've removed the protector) then go back in 3 days to knock down any last QCs made from last eggs the old one laid and remove the candy cover.

You also need to consider why they wanted to swarm - check they have enough space etc.

That's what I do with all my splits.

Remove queen.

Add new queen in cage with cap in place.

Return after 4 days and knock down all queen cells (make sure you get them all. Shake all frames to ensure you dont miss any)

Return after 2 days and release cap so bees have access to fondant.

They will then be hopelessly queenless and should release and accept her.

Never lost one doing that.

Lost plenty before that!

 

[Hivemaker.]

Return after 4 days and knock down all queen cells (make sure you get them all. Shake all frames to ensure you dont miss any)

They can still easily produce plenty more emergency cells four days after removing the previous laying queen, egg for three days, emerge on the fourth...grafting day.

 

[BMH]

They can still easily produce plenty more emergency cells four days after removing the previous laying queen, egg for three days, emerge on the fourth...grafting day.

Sorry - forgot to add when I come back to remove the cap I check for cells again but dont think (in my relative experience)I have ever found any (day 6).

 

[Hivemaker.]

Sorry - forgot to add when I come back to remove the cap I check for cells again but dont think (in my relative experience)I have ever found any (day 6).

If I'm introducing a queen that has come through the post I leave them nine days then break down all the cells making them hopelessly queen less, then introduce the queen in a cage, break off tab 24 to 48 hours later and leave well alone for eight to ten days... or usually use a twin chute release cage so no need to go back and break tab off.

If I'm using mated laying queens I introduce them directly about an hour after either removing the existing queen or making up nucs, no introduction cages used and no delay in them having a queen laying.

 

[jeff33]

I wouldn't fancy doing that with a £100 + queen Hivemaker!!! I go for the push in cage option, good result but I will make sure that brood frames used to make up the queen have been above a QX for at least 7 days.

 

[Ian123]

£100...lol if hes swapping around buckfast breeders with others then they are a lot more than that!!

 

[simonforeman]

Just an update...
Q- hive checked queen released and laying well

The defensive hive A worker had died and blocked the hole leaving just the queen in the cage. I released her into the hive and all is well and hopefully laying very soon.....

So success.