Supercedure Cell Strategy

[specialkayme]

I caught a swarm about a month ago. As of today, they have covered close to 6 medium frames. Not a huge swarm, but they are growing.

I noticed two queen cells (capped) today. While both are closer to the bottom of one frame, I still suspect they are supercedure cells, and not swarm cells, due largely to the size of the colony but also to the number of cells.

I am torn between just letting them replace their queen, who appears to be a good layer, cutting out the cells, and making a split.

I know Michael Palmer just allows supercedures to take place. It's a part of nature, and usually the bees know more than you do about what is going on.

Just wondering what other's strategy is when they come across a supercedure cell. Let it happen, split, or cull the cell? Of course, assuming you believe the queen is functioning well.

[yockey5]

I plan on using mine for splits.

[duck]

the bees know what they are doing.. now if I have a swarm or colony with no queen, I will transfer that frame to them or combine them with another colony that needs bees.

[jaseemtp]

well with a swarm they usually leave with the old queen and replace her once they are safe and secure.  So maybe they are replacing the "old mother" for a daughter.  just my 2 cents.

[AndrewT]

I'd leave them alone.

[iddee]

They are going to get rid of the old queen. You can leave the cells, or make the hive queenless, your choice.

[Sparky]

If it were mine i would remove the old queen and put in a nuc with a couple frames of brood from hives other than the parent hive and a frame of drawn comb for her to lay in and a frame each of pollen and honey and let the other hive work it out with the new emerging queens.

[specialkayme]

That's what I was considering Sparky, but I am slightly concerned about the down time inbetween queens. Sometimes with a supercedure situation, the new queen will mate while the old queen is still present and laying, right? That way, the hive wouldn't have a downtime in laying, and wouldn't dwindle in size, since it takes up to three weeks for a queen to hatch, mate, and get to full egg laying status.

Since it's a new swarm (that wasn't on the huge side to start with) size is of vital importance at this stage. But, I guess if numbers get real small I could just add a frame of capped brood from the other hive I just caught :D.

[Sparky]

Are you sure she is still laying ? Make sure you see newer eggs because they might have the wheels in motion for a swarm with the old queen.

[specialkayme]

I still see new eggs. Upright, not close to lying down. Laid anywhere from 1 to 24 hours ago.