How to id a queenless hive (before winter)?

Started by ColeB234, November 12, 2014, 08:12:32 PM

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ColeB234

November 12, 2014, 08:12:32 PM
Hello all, I recently did a cutout from a tree that a guy left half done, and got four lbs of lovely bees, I went in to the hive to check them recently and found some beautiful patches of brood and a nice big red Queen. As I was closing up I looked back at the frame I saw her on and started panicking when I couldn't find her, I checked both sides twice and still found nothing, I started panicking and closed the hive quickly, hoping she was still in their. The hive was two stories and as I put the upper box on, I heard the bees fanning like crazy, and my worry level soared. The queens hive has twenty plus years experience in that tree, not to mention they are my only hive at this point, and under ordinary circumstances (the production season) I wouldn't be this worried, they could make their own and the hive would be fine, but this is about a week before snow and I'm honestly terrified. I couldn't find any articles online about this particular situation, so I hope someone on Beemaster has some experience. Is there any positive way to tell without ripping into the hive again? Or should I do another quick check to be sure? I really don't want to lose this hive folks, and any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks folks and Happy Beekeeping, Cole.
My Mentors exact words after he inspected my first hive: "When I was growing up, boy stop picking that stinger and listen, I was always told that bees do everything for a reason, so these bees sting you quite a bit, why do you think that is? No, don't bother answering, you'll get it wrong, it's because they hate ya! Boy I'll tell ya, I have never seen such hateful batch of bees, usually they love me, some say it's because I'm such a sweet old man. But these girls, oh mama, they are the nastiest bunch of stinging insects I have ever had the displeasure of acquainting myself with, you aught to take a blowtorch to 'em, that's the only thing that'll keep 'em from being so mean, they can't be mean when they're dead!" We inspected the hive, he's used to doing everything without a veil, and he was somewhat shocked when he got stung on his right cheek. That was the funniest face I have ever seen a man make, though the cussing that followed was pretty funny too. ;)

BeeMaster2

#1
November 12, 2014, 08:48:33 PM
Cole,
First of all the queen is probably in the hive. At this time of year in your area, I would not bee in that hive. They are getting ready for winter, sealing up the hive. Since you are concerned, put your ear to the hive. If they just lost their queen they will be very noisy. If they are rather quiet, she is fine.
Jim
Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin

Robo

#2
November 12, 2014, 10:55:03 PM
Cole,

Jim is right.  Not much you can do at this point.   Even if you could determine they are queenless, there is little hope of getting a queen and introducing her this time of year.

Going into the hive and not seeing the queen or brood would not mean they are queenless as there is a good chance she has already stopped laying. 
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work." - Thomas Edison


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ColeB234

#3
November 13, 2014, 08:30:28 AM
Thank you, I will take a listen to them and see but I think there probably is a queen since I didn't see her body fall to the bottom board and almost no bees flew around as I pulled the frames.
My Mentors exact words after he inspected my first hive: "When I was growing up, boy stop picking that stinger and listen, I was always told that bees do everything for a reason, so these bees sting you quite a bit, why do you think that is? No, don't bother answering, you'll get it wrong, it's because they hate ya! Boy I'll tell ya, I have never seen such hateful batch of bees, usually they love me, some say it's because I'm such a sweet old man. But these girls, oh mama, they are the nastiest bunch of stinging insects I have ever had the displeasure of acquainting myself with, you aught to take a blowtorch to 'em, that's the only thing that'll keep 'em from being so mean, they can't be mean when they're dead!" We inspected the hive, he's used to doing everything without a veil, and he was somewhat shocked when he got stung on his right cheek. That was the funniest face I have ever seen a man make, though the cussing that followed was pretty funny too. ;)

BeeMaster2

#4
November 13, 2014, 12:41:24 PM
Cole,
Let us know what you hear. When I loose a queen in my observation hive that is in our closed in patio, I can hear that hive (for a couple of days) from across the room and know they have a problem.
Jim
Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin

GSF

#5
November 13, 2014, 04:09:23 PM
Cole, to support what Robo just said, I've been checking my hives a few at a time lately. I have seen very little, to no brood/eggs. In some cases I haven't seen the queen either. After listening to and observing what the folks have been saying on this forum, I'm not surprised now if I seen no Q,E,L, CB. It's just that time of year. If I don't see a queen I usually verify her existance by finding eggs. Not so now, but no worries either.
When the law no longer protects you from the corrupt, but protects the corrupt from you - then you know your nation is doomed.

ColeB234

#6
November 13, 2014, 05:00:59 PM
I put my ear to a crack in the hive and heard a low and steady hum, I think at this point there is a queen, because I quickly cracked the lid and found the cluster still entirely in one ball. But again, I have never dealt with this, so some more feedback would be great.
My Mentors exact words after he inspected my first hive: "When I was growing up, boy stop picking that stinger and listen, I was always told that bees do everything for a reason, so these bees sting you quite a bit, why do you think that is? No, don't bother answering, you'll get it wrong, it's because they hate ya! Boy I'll tell ya, I have never seen such hateful batch of bees, usually they love me, some say it's because I'm such a sweet old man. But these girls, oh mama, they are the nastiest bunch of stinging insects I have ever had the displeasure of acquainting myself with, you aught to take a blowtorch to 'em, that's the only thing that'll keep 'em from being so mean, they can't be mean when they're dead!" We inspected the hive, he's used to doing everything without a veil, and he was somewhat shocked when he got stung on his right cheek. That was the funniest face I have ever seen a man make, though the cussing that followed was pretty funny too. ;)

BeeMaster2

#7
November 14, 2014, 12:22:09 PM
Quote from: ColeB234 on November 13, 2014, 05:00:59 PM
I put my ear to a crack in the hive and heard a low and steady hum, I think at this point there is a queen, because I quickly cracked the lid and found the cluster still entirely in one ball. But again, I have never dealt with this, so some more feedback would be great.
Cole,
Your queen is in there. If you were listening to that hive through a crack and it was a low hum, you are good.
Jim
Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin

ColeB234

#8
November 14, 2014, 03:45:28 PM
Great, thanks for all the help
My Mentors exact words after he inspected my first hive: "When I was growing up, boy stop picking that stinger and listen, I was always told that bees do everything for a reason, so these bees sting you quite a bit, why do you think that is? No, don't bother answering, you'll get it wrong, it's because they hate ya! Boy I'll tell ya, I have never seen such hateful batch of bees, usually they love me, some say it's because I'm such a sweet old man. But these girls, oh mama, they are the nastiest bunch of stinging insects I have ever had the displeasure of acquainting myself with, you aught to take a blowtorch to 'em, that's the only thing that'll keep 'em from being so mean, they can't be mean when they're dead!" We inspected the hive, he's used to doing everything without a veil, and he was somewhat shocked when he got stung on his right cheek. That was the funniest face I have ever seen a man make, though the cussing that followed was pretty funny too. ;)
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