Location middle Ga.. 6 over wintered hives. 2 have already swarm. All hives are very active but one. Still has a good amount of bees but just very little activity each day. About 3 weeks ago during inspection queen was on inner top cover alone. As she was today. A full hive inspection and I found no brood of any stage. I know all my hive act a little different and just wondering if this queen needs replacing or just waiting for good hot weather to start??
On another note, my strongest hive swarm today...got to witness from beginning to end. They are in a hive box now but just keep acting like they are not "home". My only in life 3 other caught swarms all began immediately cleaning house and carrying on regular as soon as putting them in a hive box. Do some just take much longer or is there a way to get their "brain" off of waiting for scouts to return to the mindset of we are home sweet home!
Thanks for any replies...
After she soaks in a couple ounces of alcohol, she will make a good swarm lure. Other than that, she's useless.
Since the other hive swarmed, I would go in that hive and remove one frame with a queen cell, make sure you leave at least one queen cell, and remove the other queen, insert it in the weak hive. Do not inspect for 3 weeks to give the new queen a chance to prove herself before you disturb the hive.
Jim
sawdstmakr beat me to it, but that was what I was thinking too.
Could do the alcohol bath and a fresh frame of eggs or young larvae.