Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: lonewolf on May 31, 2010, 10:58:05 AM

Title: beginner needs advice
Post by: lonewolf on May 31, 2010, 10:58:05 AM
ok i went through my 2nd hive inspection yesterday and found an unmarked queen in my hive. bought the nukes 1 week ago and don't have alot to work with. i do have extra hive boxes to split into if needed but not alot of brood (bought 2 4 frame nukes). during my inspection i did'nt see the marked queen but i saw her last week. what should i do??
Title: Re: beginner needs advice
Post by: riverrat on May 31, 2010, 11:28:24 AM
i am not sure what you are wanting to do. I would look for signs of a queen. eggs and larva at different stages. The marked queen may not have the marking any longer the bees are famous  for grooming it off the queen.
Title: Re: beginner needs advice
Post by: Thymaridas on May 31, 2010, 11:36:54 AM
Let them be for a bit. You have only had them a week. You found 2 queens so you know they are queen right. Everything is probably alright. But it is hard not to be anxious about them when you start and looking inside is so much fun.

The only thing that you really didn't say was that you found new eggs and larvae. When you do your next inspection, open the hive with your back to the sun. Then hold the frames so that the sun is able to shine down into the bottom of the cells. When you do that you should be able to see the eggs better, if they are there.
Title: Re: beginner needs advice
Post by: lonewolf on May 31, 2010, 10:34:18 PM
there is plenty of new larve i was just concerned if i should split the hive to prevent a swarm
Title: Re: beginner needs advice
Post by: riverrat on May 31, 2010, 10:47:43 PM
if i understand you right they are in a nuc box. From what im reading i see no signs of swarming that you have discribed. If you have them in a nuc box  i would look at getting them over into 10 frame equipment as soon as possible and get some feed on them.