I have a hive that I discovered as queenless two weeks ago that now has a capped emergency cell when checking it today. The amount if bees is obviously down and I have a strong hive next to it. Should I add a couple frames of brood to it or wait for nature to take its course. There is still a small amount of capped brood and I saw a new bee emerging today. This is my first experience with losing a queen from a package I installed on 4/12. I also could probably purchase a queen over the next couple of days, any advice greatly appreciated!! Also, the reason I couldn't act sooner was that I have been out of town since discovering the queen was gone
It does not sound like you have a lot of bees left in the hive. If you wait until the queen hatches, strengthens, makes her maiden flight, start laying eggs and then waiting another 3 weeks before the new bees start to hatch, there is a good chance the hive will fail. If you have access to a mated queen, that would really improve your chances of saving this hive.
Jim
if the other hive is strong, you can take a couple of frames of brood in various stages, and give it to the weak hive. If you buy a queen, be sure to remove the queen cell. be sure to let the purchased queen have plenty of time in the hive, in the cage, before letting her loose.
buying one is faster, but letting them raise their own is nice. sounds like she's ready to hatch. the risk is that she's lost on the mating flight, but acceptance is pretty much guaranteed. a new queen can make up for lost time very quickly, but make sure there are enough young bees to nurse brood. That's where a frame of capped brood would be very helpful.