Quick run down on Swarm colony history...You remember that day don't ya? LOL
When on or about Ã...pril 2 I inspected, and saw 2 queen cells and lot's of capped and open brood...remembr Idid a big no no and eliminated the swarm cell...I won't do that again, anyhoo...There was that one basket shaped cell with an open bottom, so I was hoping they would make a queen outta that or some brood.
Well today they are acting all goofy...LOUD buzzing at 2pm, wiht a lot of flying about the entrance, almost looked like a swarm thing...I also noticed many drones flying about...they have not left the hive...
Would you guess this might be a mating activity...?
When should I inspect the hive again?
Many thanks sincerely...
Sharon
Sounds like a queen went for a mating flight. The virgin queen leaving the hive will often make the bees act similar to a swarm with the telltale differences beinging they don't hold the swarm cloud very long and the excess of drones following the virgin queen.
Thanks Brian, I am hoping that is what was going on!
How many days after mating does it take for queen to lay?
Quote from: DayValleyDahlias on April 26, 2008, 04:09:45 PM
Thanks Brian, I am hoping that is what was going on!
How many days after mating does it take for queen to lay?
A week to 10 days--varies with whether or not the queen takes multiple mating flights and her own "personality" for lack of a better word.
Got it, thanks Brian!
There is nothing wrong with trying to keep them from swarming. It's just that destroying queen cells seldom if ever works and often they end up queenless.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesswarmcontrol.htm
I don't know if they are trying to swarm or just a new queen mating. You should know shortly. :)
LOL MB...They are all still there...so far ;)