I saw a hatched queen cell in one of the hives about 2 weeks ago and for good measure (atleast I call l it good measure) I decided to throw in a frames of eggs and capped brood. I checked the hive out today and I did not see an egg in site and the frame I put it that was all capped and eggs had the bees hatching and larvae developing. Since a queen cell was not started from the frame I put in 2 weeks ago, could it be possible that a queen may be present and she just is not laying yet, or is this hive a lost cause?
Quote from: psbeekeeper on August 27, 2011, 06:53:38 PM
I saw a hatched queen cell in one of the hives about 2 weeks ago and for good measure (atleast I call l it good measure) I decided to throw in a frames of eggs and capped brood. I checked the hive out today and I did not see an egg in site and the frame I put it that was all capped and eggs had the bees hatching and larvae developing. Since a queen cell was not started from the frame I put in 2 weeks ago, could it be possible that a queen may be present and she just is not laying yet, or is this hive a lost cause?
You see larvae? Any eggs you added would have been capped after a maximum of 9 days. If you see larvae after 2 weeks, that means eggs were laid after you added the eggs and capped brood. Sure sounds like you have a laying queen.
Yes, if you added eggs and did not get a queen cell, you probably have a queen.
Thanks frameshift. I was mainly concerned because I didn't see any freshly laid eggs or anything when I checked today. I guess I'll just give it time. Thanks again.
give it some time sometime it takes a lil longer for her to start laying.virgin queens are just a lil biger than the worker.she will get bigger after mating. s......schawee
Assuming the queen was a virgin and she had just emerged it could be as long as three weeks for her to start laying. Assuming they were hopelessly queenless and raised another queen it could be a month for that one to start laying.
My first year hive requeened themselves this July. (much to my newbee dismay, but, wow, what a learning experience) I was in the hive when she was pipping so I assume she was hatched shortly before. It took longer than 2 weeks to see the rice sized eggs. Definitely 3 and probably closer to 4 weeks.(I dont have my notes handy or I could narrow that down.)
I kept my inspections limited to a week or a week and 1/2 during that time as not to disrupt them.
It turned out very well. she's a beaut!, working like a, er, dog. Hive is now stable and calm and functioning like they should.
I hope you get great results also.