Queen quick release

BC · July 17, 2011, 01:15:46 AM

I have a Nuc that has been Queenless for over a week. Can I do a quick release or do I have to put her in a Queen cage and let them release her. I'm taking her from another hive and putting her into the Nuc. I was planning on using a Queen catcher and then releasing her that way.

Thanks for the help.

joebrown · July 17, 2011, 01:50:02 AM

They will be ok for a few more days. You would hate to do a quick release and get her killed.

joebrown · July 17, 2011, 01:51:24 AM

If they are low on numbers you can always add a frame of bees as well. Sounds like you have more than one hive.

Adrian · July 17, 2011, 08:43:39 AM

They will most likely kill her :shock: if you do and then still be queenless. Why not take the time you have?

BC · July 17, 2011, 12:41:14 PM

Thanks for the info everyone. The reason why I wanted to do a quick release is because I'm starting a new job Monday and I will be going home only on the weekends. My fear is to discover her dead still in her box when I get back. I can't check on her in a couple of days to see if she's been released. I guess I could take some of the candy out so it's less effort for the workers to get to her.

Thank you again everyone for all your help.

B.C.

Michael Bush · July 18, 2011, 12:29:03 PM

Just because they've been queenless longer does not mean they are more accepting of a queen. They are the most accepting in about 12 hours of queenlessness. As time goes on and some workers start getting ideas about being queens, acceptance goes down.

caticind · July 18, 2011, 06:59:54 PM

Are you quite sure that the nuc is queenless?

Queens can stop laying for a variety of reasons (could be defect or injury, but one of mine just started laying again after a 2-week break for the dearth) giving the appearance of queenlessness to a hive that will gladly kill your new queen if she is direct-released.