Bearding Bees Swarm Preparation

Ben Framed · May 02, 2019, 09:39:10 AM

Quote from: Michael Bush on May 02, 2019, 09:17:41 AM
So what did you do with the queen cells? You removed them? I would split it three ways or more and make sure each has some queen cells. I almost never destroy a queen cell. The only time I do is if I really don't want the genetics. Once they have queen cells, they will probably swarm no matter what you do.

Not in this case. I decided to use this hive is a honey production hive since they already had six frames of honey. None of the cells were capped. Had they been capped, I would have split them Using frames from other nucs. Yes, I was tempted, but I did not want to lose this queen to a swarm. Lacking experience I took the bird in the hand over 12 in the bush so to speak. All other nukes I am splitting. May sound a little greedy but I would like some honey for myself also. all other nukes I am splitting. May sound a little greedy but I would like some honey for myself also 😁
Thank you for your response Mr. Bush,
Phillip

Michael Bush · May 02, 2019, 10:44:16 AM

It has nothing to do with greed. I split them when they have queen cells because it's a losing battle trying to stop them at that point in my experience.

Ben Framed · May 02, 2019, 10:52:46 AM

Quote from: Michael Bush on May 02, 2019, 10:44:16 AM
It has nothing to do with greed. I split them when they have queen cells because it's a losing battle trying to stop them at that point in my experience.

Thanks Mr Bush. I would like some honey. Yum. I have understood that as long as swarm cells are not capped, then mashed , and bees given space they will usually not swarm. But if the cells are capped you can not change their mind. That is the reasoning that I went on. Was this wrong information? Again thank you for chiming in, your advise is always very much appreciated.
Phillip

Michael Bush · May 02, 2019, 11:01:53 AM

> I have understood that as long as swarm cells are not capped, then mashed , and bees given space they will usually not swarm.

That is not my experience. If they have cells, I accept their decision because fighting it is more work than it's worth and usually fails. You might succeed. "You never can tell with bees."--Winnie the Pooh

Ben Framed · May 02, 2019, 01:23:49 PM

Your experiences, I very much appreciate, and you sharing them even the more! Thank you for the updated post. That being the case, I will check this hive again in a few days looking for more cells. If I do find more cells I will split.I do not want to fight them either. Now a question 😊😁, will it be best to move the old queen to a new location? Leave one cell in the original hive, and I would assume put the rest of the cells In nucs? Thanks, Phillip

cao · May 02, 2019, 03:08:52 PM

I have found that if you remove the queen and leave at least two queen cells, the bees pack in the nectar while they are waiting for the new queen to mate and start laying.

Ben Framed · May 02, 2019, 10:22:32 PM

Quote from: cao on May 02, 2019, 03:08:52 PM
I have found that if you remove the queen and leave at least two queen cells, the bees pack in the nectar while they are waiting for the new queen to mate and start laying.

Thanks Cao, Looks like I missed the boat all the way around!! I appreciate your input.
Phillip

BeeMaster2 · May 03, 2019, 12:53:37 AM

Usually by moving the queen into a new hive with room to grow, you make the hive think they have swarmed and they settle down.
Jim Altmiller

Ben Framed · May 03, 2019, 01:02:39 AM

Quote from: sawdstmakr on May 03, 2019, 12:53:37 AM
Usually by moving the queen into a new hive with room to grow, you make the hive think they have swarmed and they settle down.
Jim Altmiller

Thanks Jim, looking back that is what I should have done along with following. M Bushes advise. I would that I had ask before leaping. If I find new queen cells when I go back and check I will face it that I wasted a good week that would have been better spent devolving 12 new hives with the 12 uncapped queen cells that I destroyed. As they say Live, study, and learn. Thanks to all who responded to this topic. Special thanks to you Mr Bush. As Coolbees once said, you folks are terrific.
Phillip

Michael Bush · May 06, 2019, 01:59:12 PM

>Now a question 😊😁, will it be best to move the old queen to a new location? Leave one cell in the original hive, and I would assume put the rest of the cells In nucs? Thanks, Phillip

If I found her (and I wouldn't spend any time looking other than looking at each frame as I go) then, yes, I would put her in the new location. If I didn't find her, I wouldn't worry about where she is... I leave every part of the split with a queen cell. Always. Even the one with the queen.

The15thMember · May 06, 2019, 02:16:21 PM

Quote from: Michael Bush on May 06, 2019, 01:59:12 PM
I leave every part of the split with a queen cell. Always. Even the one with the queen.

Why do you do this, Michael?

Ben Framed · May 06, 2019, 02:22:15 PM

Thank you Mr Bush
Phillip

Michael Bush · May 06, 2019, 04:25:40 PM

>Why do you do this, Michael?

What if they were superseding and you are wrong about them swarming? What if the queen failing is one of the triggers of the swarming? I believe in letting a natural course complete while manipulating some to keep the bees in my hives. If I split the hive they are unlikely to swarm and likely the new queen will just come off as a supersedure. I am more willing to risk a possible (very unlikely) swarm than a possible (more likely) queenlessness as an outcome.

The15thMember · May 06, 2019, 05:12:53 PM

Quote from: Michael Bush on May 06, 2019, 04:25:40 PM
>Why do you do this, Michael?

What if they were superseding and you are wrong about them swarming? What if the queen failing is one of the triggers of the swarming? I believe in letting a natural course complete while manipulating some to keep the bees in my hives. If I split the hive they are unlikely to swarm and likely the new queen will just come off as a supersedure. I am more willing to risk a possible (very unlikely) swarm than a possible (more likely) queenlessness as an outcome.

Okay, that makes good sense. Thanks, Michael.