Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => REQUEENING & RAISING NEW QUEENS => Topic started by: farmerjohn on March 08, 2009, 10:22:51 PM

Title: Hive queenless for at least 3 weeks...
Post by: farmerjohn on March 08, 2009, 10:22:51 PM
This Saturday, Mar 8, 2009, I did a hive inspection.  The hive consists of two deep supers.  I did not find any larva or capped cells in any of the twenty frames of the two deep supers.  I only found pollen and capped and uncapped honey.   

The last hive inspection was 2 weeks ago.  At that time I noticed there were very few capped brood cells, very few larva.  The bees were bringing in pollen.   So it looks like I killed the queen during the last inspection or the previous inspection.

My question is this, is it too late to requeen this hive.  The bees are very busy bringing in pollen and nectar.

Sincerely,

John Cougar
Title: Re: Hive queenless for at least 3 weeks...
Post by: Michael Bush on March 08, 2009, 11:09:32 PM
I don't know where you are located.  But seeing brood or not this time of year here would not be unusual.
Title: Re: Hive queenless for at least 3 weeks...
Post by: gmcharlie on March 08, 2009, 11:10:59 PM
as long as you have food and bees,  requeen.  problem may be how fast can you find one?   worst case combine with another hive and let them gather for that hive  until the new queen comes in.   That will improve the mood and keep them thriving a while..
Title: Re: Hive queenless for at least 3 weeks...
Post by: farmerjohn on March 09, 2009, 10:09:15 PM
Quote from: Michael Bush on March 08, 2009, 11:09:32 PM
I don't know where you are located.  But seeing brood or not this time of year here would not be unusual.

I am in southern alabama.  The nuc that I received just over a week ago has brood at various stages.  Other beekeepers in this area confirm that I should be seeing brood of some type.  Thanks for you inputs.  I have ordered a queen and it should be here Wednesday of this week.
Title: Re: Hive queenless for at least 3 weeks...
Post by: HAB on March 09, 2009, 10:53:36 PM
Hate to hear of someone loosing a Queen so early.  Especially when your just getting started.  Sent you a PM.
Title: Re: Hive queenless for at least 3 weeks...
Post by: Understudy on March 10, 2009, 01:02:02 AM
If you have another hive. Put a frame of brood in that hive with eggs and young larva. It should something to hold them up and if needed they can make queen cells.

Sincerely,
Brendhan