I have a colony that keeps making queen cells, (they are on the bottom and sides). This a a very small colony, I received them in mid May at the time Just a queen and enough bees to cover a frame. They have been doing a good job of bringing the #s up but they keep trying to make a queen. Should I requeen or what?
Are they making queen CELLS or just queen CUPS?
Cells, eggs and larva.
Bottom and sides usually means they're getting ready to swarm.
Are all the frames full? Cut the queen cells out and give them more room.
Got two hive bodies? Rotate them, the queen likes to move upward and your current bottom might be empty.
Don't requeen, they're preparing to do their own requeening and would just be a waste of money if she decided to take off with half your hive.
Sean Kelly
if you cut out the queen cells and they swarm anyway..which is likely...you are screwed unless you want to buy a queen. more room can be helpful.
If they are truly swarm cells chances are good that the are already in swarm mode. About the only thing you could do to prevent a swarm in that case would be to create and artificial swarm. Make a split with the queen, some brood and stores and leave the original hive to raise a new queen. Remember that if the cells already have larvae the maximum time you have to do the split is 10 days.
Scott
Quote from: hardwood on July 20, 2010, 05:32:44 PM
If they are truly swarm cells chances are good that the are already in swarm mode. About the only thing you could do to prevent a swarm in that case would be to create and artificial swarm. Make a split with the queen, some brood and stores and leave the original hive to raise a new queen. Remember that if the cells already have larvae the maximum time you have to do the split is 10 days.
Scott
Agreed. You can do alot to prevent swarming before it starts, but once the queen cells are there, full of larvae, the colony most of the time has already made up it's mind. If you cut out the cells the hive will swarm anyway and you get nothing.
Do a split as described above. Consider feeding, depending on your location and your nectar flows.
Room is not a problem there is only three frames of bee in a five frame nuc. With one for the five still just foundation.