How to know if queenless or failing queen?

[mgmoore7]

I have a hive that appears to be queenless or maybe they want to supercede her.  There are no eggs present and from what I can estimate, the last eggs were layed about 6-7 days ago (or maybe a little longer).  There is not a "flow" but the bees have been making honey and there has been rain so I don't think we are in a dearth.   

There are about 15 supercedure cells (some capped) in the appropriate location where the queen had been laying (in the brood super).  There were 2 cells in the lower 1/3rd.  There is plenty of space in the brood deep for more laying and even some that is not totally built out. 

I inspected this hive yesterday and they are much more agitated than ever before.  In previous inspection times, they pretty much ignored me.  Not yesterday, they were buzzing me like never before and many of them.  I have read that this can be a sign of queenlessness.

A side note is that I made a split out of this hive about 1 week ago.  I thought that maybe I accidentally took the queen and I suppose it is possible but I don't think the bee math adds up.  I think it is a couple of days off since some of the queen cells are capped, but I can't be 100% sure as sometimes all of this gets to be as clear as mud. 

If the queen is failing, will she stop laying?

If the queen is failing but still present, I assume they will kill an introduced queen?

If there are no eggs and supercedure cells, is this assurance that a queen does not exists?

I have a nuc that is queenright.  I could combine it with this one??  Would a newspaper combine work if I took the frames out of the nuc and put them in a deep and put the queenless hive on top?

When doing a newspaper combine, is it standard procedure to destroy existing queen cells?

If introducing a queen, is it standard procedure to destoy existing queen cells before closing up?

Thanks for your help!!

[Understudy]

If the queen is failing, will she stop laying?

Yes

If the queen is failing but still present, I assume they will kill an introduced queen?

Yes

If there are no eggs and supercedure cells, is this assurance that a queen does not exists?

Yes

I have a nuc that is queenright.  I could combine it with this one??  Would a newspaper combine work if I took the frames out of the nuc and put them in a deep and put the queenless hive on top?

Yes, but if the failing queen is present you may end up with a fight.

When doing a newspaper combine, is it standard procedure to destroy existing queen cells?

Old timers will tell you Yes, I am saying no.

If introducing a queen, is it standard procedure to destoy existing queen cells before closing up?

Thanks for your help!!

Cut them out with a very sharp knife. If they are closed you can glue them to a jar lid when they hatch you will some virgin queens if you need them. Warning this is a tricky difficult procedure. Think how much fun it will be to try it though.

Make sure there are holes in the lid of the jar for air

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[Kathyp]

did you requeen your split, or are they making their own?  if you did not requeen, check in there for eggs.  i did a split earlier this year and in spite of my efforts, i took the queen with the split.

if you have queen cells, why not let them do their own.  saves you money and better odds of acceptance.  i'd think in florida, you'd have lots of time.  no weather pressures.

[mgmoore7]

I requeened the split with a purchased queen.  If I did happen to get the queen from this hive I am refering to I suppose they killed the queen I introduced.  Won't know for sure until I find her.

if you have queen cells, why not let them do their own.  saves you money and better odds of acceptance.  i'd think in florida, you'd have lots of time.  no weather pressures.

You are right, there is time.

Without getting into a debate about AHB, and the hype associated with it and whether it is valid....  I have decided to avoid AHB if I have the option too. 

[TwT]

if you want to make sure you avoid AHB's, make sure you get  marked queens and make sure every inspection you see the marks on the queen, they can requeens themselves quick and without marked queens you will not know for sure...