a swarm

[scott]

Unfortunatly one of my five hives swarmed yesterday.  I think it was my fault, I added a second super Friday and at that time the hive was fairly congested, I think I waited to long.  I hope it doesnt happen to my other hives, they were in the same condition.  I havent inspected the hive since the swarm but plan to do that tomorrow.  I have read that the old queen leaves the hive with the swarm.  If that is true should I oder a new queen for the remaining bees or just let nature take its course.  I am concerned about time it may take for the colony to make a new queen and begin laying, and the strength of the colony for wintering.

any suggestions, comments, words of wisdom
thanks
Scott

[scott]

I meant to say should I order not oder

Scott

[JP]

Scott, I would check and do an inventory but you will more than likely have to order a new queen. The hive could be honeybound so make sure you free up some room by checkerboarding so the new queen will have space to lay.

[asprince]

Check carefully, you may have a new queen in progress. Check for queen cells, opened and unopened.

Steve

[Mici]

now...i really don't know why ordering a new queen. let's see.
the hive obviusly did ok or even great- it swarmed, this is the best way to tell if the queen did a good job, aparently she did.

so, the swarm has the old queen which is good, so the swarm does not need a new queen.

the remaining colony, will soon get another queen-her daughter and if she inherited the good genes, there will be no reason to requeen. sometimes the new queen doesn't return from her mating flight -accidents or weather does not permit her to get fertilized but still, time will tell. in a fortnight everything will be clear, until then i wouldn't do much but feed the swarm. some say swarms don't need to be fed, but it's a great way to get a lot of fresh comb, just feed it lavishly and cull out the honey comb-that way they'll remain in "swarm mode" that is building fresh comb with eager.


bare in mind, the old colony might swarm again, up to...5 times but it's very rear, while the second swarm is quite often. if you want to prevent it, open it, find the queen cells and destroy all but one.

[JP]

Scott, if you don't have enough brood or queen cells they have already made you will have to order a new queen.

[Kirk-o]

Check out Michael Bush's site.He has a article  on unlimited brood nest .You will find it helpful
kirk