In one of my hives, the queen has started laying multiple eggs per cell (as many as 4 in a single cell). I visually verified that the queen is indeed present in the hive (she is marked), so I don't understand why she is putting down multiple eggs (not in all cells, many have only a single egg appropriately). Does anyone know why this happens? Also, what becomes of the eggs that are laid in multiples?
Thanks
Mike
Usually it is because the queen needs more cells in which to lay her eggs. The nurse bees will remove the excess eggs/larvae when they check the cells. If you have extra drawn comb you can replace any poorly drawn combs and this will give the queen space to lay.
It could also be, maybe, from an errant laying worker. If your queen is strong, the eggs will be removed and eaten. Just my thoughts...
Are you sure you have a queen? A few doubles and maybe even a triple could be a new queen or a queen that has no where to lay. But when you hit four and five, it's almost always laying workers.
I do have a queen - I saw her with my own eyes! She is also this years queen (marked green)
Based on the replies here, it sounds like the queen just doesn't have enough room. If this is the case, will the workers be stimulated to draw more wax? My hives are on a pretty good safflower flow right now - so I don't think that they will take any syrup.