Packages going Queenless

Brian D. Bray · May 30, 2006, 02:39:29 AM

I've noticed that a very high percentage of those posting entries seem to be experiencing a situation wherein the hive seems to go queenless or supercedes itself soon after setting up packaged bees. I think it might be interesting to see how many have actually had the problem. Those who've also had hives with new queens go queenless or begin supercedure should respond also.

I'm seeing a trend that is scarring me.

Finsky · May 30, 2006, 03:48:17 AM

Yes, what had happened when packages have made? Are they this year's queens?

Australian research tells that if you take queens from mating nuc under 14 days old, bees will change 80% of queens.

I have read that nosema burts often in package bees. It spoils often the queen.

When I have bought in spring queens from Italy, nucs want to change at once 50% of queens. And others later. Who knows and what are alternatives?

randydrivesabus · May 30, 2006, 06:37:10 AM

i installed 2 packages of bees with italian queens back in april. as far as i can tell the queens are doing just fine. i saw the queen in one hive last week. i havent seen the queen in the other hive for a long time but the number of workers are increasing nicely and i think its impossible for that to happen queenless. i got my packages from Kelly in Kentucky.

Finsky · May 30, 2006, 08:11:10 AM

Quote from: randydrivesabusi havent seen the queen in the other hive for a long time but the number of workers are increasing nicely .

To see queen is not necessary, but to see open larvae is.

Workers encrease without queen because the life cycle of brood is 3 weeks.
.

randydrivesabus · May 30, 2006, 09:11:10 AM

i seen that too.

SherryL · May 30, 2006, 12:04:22 PM

Maybe to set up a poll would be the most concise way to read what's happening out there? You want to set one up Brian, or you want me to try? I've not tried to do that yet, or maybe John is the only one that can poll?

sherry

randydrivesabus · May 30, 2006, 12:51:05 PM

maybe john should get rid of the london guy first.

Brian D. Bray · May 31, 2006, 12:42:18 AM

I thought I had set up a poll as part of the question. Evidently I don't understand how the site works for setting one up. So Yes SherryL please try.
I asked the question because after years of ignoring other beekeepers (mostly because of fits and starts at beekeeping between various injuries) I am re-introducing myself to the community. Now that I'm disabled to the point of un-employability I devote myself to my hobbies and have decided to become a mentor for any who need one in beekeeping, passing on what I learned from my mentor. What I've learned on my own and in the process correcting some idiotic ideas that have stuck in my brain for whatever reason that shouldn't be there.
For the 1st time in twenty years I am thinking of buying a package of bees rather that rely on feral swarms and the stories I hear about the queen loss in packages is troubling.

ctsoth · May 31, 2006, 12:48:30 AM

I installed two packages this year, both queens are laying very well. One is a buckfast hive, the other is a carniolan queen that came with italian workers.

When I installed my buckfast package [first install ever] I managed to screw nearly everything up, including the weather, and they accepted the queen just fine. I saw her lumbering around on monday actually. She doesn't like being in the sun, after I have whatever frame she is on out for more than a few seconds she starts to get pretty jittering and scurries around.

Anyways, I think if you install your package and then DON'T open up your hive for at least 3-4 days you should be fine. [I direct released my queens.]

Edit: I do not use smoke at all. My bees don't seem bothered by my presence. It would be interesting to see if a definitive study could be conducted testing to see if the use of smoke in a new hive during inspections has any affect on queen acceptance. Perhaps it would interfere with pheramones???

Hi-Tech · May 31, 2006, 01:21:01 AM

I have installed 4 packages this year (April & May). 3 Itallian packages and 1 Caucasian package. The first hive i packaged was Italian and has had nothing but queen problems. it was also the only hive without a SBB.

Michael Bush · May 31, 2006, 08:03:01 AM

Well, I don't use chemicals, didn't buy any packages, raise my own queens, and most of them are two or three years old and laying fine.