Fanning Queenless?

Started by Cee, April 17, 2012, 01:58:42 PM

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Cee

I have a hive that appears queenless, but doesnt have that roar, though they have been awful mean recently. I could find NO wet brood and very little capped, but no cups or Qcells either. But they are fanning. Would QL bees fan? I'm assuming not, but I dont know and that's why I'm asking.

FRAMEshift

Quote from: Cee on April 17, 2012, 01:58:42 PM
I have a hive that appears queenless, but doesnt have that roar, though they have been awful mean recently. I could find NO wet brood and very little capped, but no cups or Qcells either. But they are fanning. Would QL bees fan? I'm assuming not, but I dont know and that's why I'm asking.

Bees fan for a number of reasons, including when they are hot.  I don't know why fanning would be connected to the presence or absence of a queen.   If you suspect your hive is queenless, the safest thing to do is add a frame of eggs from another hive.  If you have a queen, the frame will just add to the hive.  If not, the bees can make a queen from the eggs.  If the hive has been queenless for a long time and has started moving toward laying workers, you might have to repeat the addition of eggs weekly for a couple of weeks.
"You never can tell with bees."  --  Winnie-the-Pooh