Unmarked Queen(s)

IsleWx · May 14, 2008, 08:23:18 AM

Morning ya'll,

I've got two new hives of B Weaver All-Stars, installed from packages about mid-April. They seem to be doing well, other than maybe being a little slow to draw comb. We're in a drought here on the coast though, so I expect that is at least partially to blame-supposed to maybe get some rain tomorrow.

My question is about Queen marking. My Queens had marks when they were installed, pinkish/red ones. On our first inspection we found them. Unmarked.

Where did the paint go? Groomed off?

Thanks,

Mp

Robo · May 14, 2008, 12:16:37 PM

Could also be that a queen was shook into the package and they killed your marked queen. Getting a queen shook into a package is not that uncommon, but since you have two packages, it is highly unlikely. I would suspect lousy markings and the bees removed them. Remark them with testors so you can be certain before enough time passes that they could be superceded.

rob..

Daddys Girl · May 14, 2008, 01:16:40 PM

I just resolved a problem with a package from Beeweaver that had an unmarked queen shook in with the bees. It happens. She, however, is doing fine, even if her wings are tattered. If your queens are laying well and the bees aren't giving them any issues, and you can find them when you go looking, then you really don't need the marking. Marking just makes it easy for us.

doak · May 14, 2008, 01:21:03 PM

Sometime the bees will replace the queen that comes with the package.
Some use white out for marking and it doesn't last.
doak

Robo · May 14, 2008, 01:29:29 PM

Quote from: Daddys Girl on May 14, 2008, 01:16:40 PM
If your queens are laying well and the bees aren't giving them any issues, and you can find them when you go looking, then you really don't need the marking. Marking just makes it easy for us.

Marking or clipping is the only way to know for sure that your queen wasn't superceded.

IsleWx · May 14, 2008, 02:47:39 PM

It seems more likely that there were queens in the packages. Not enough time for supercedure-doesn't that take more than a week?

Well, whoever they are, they're doing a good job so far!

Robo · May 14, 2008, 02:55:14 PM

Quote from: IsleWx on May 14, 2008, 02:47:39 PM
It seems more likely that there were queens in the packages. Not enough time for supercedure-doesn't that take more than a week?

Well, whoever they are, they're doing a good job so far!

If they are laying, you are correct, they are not supercedure queens. I would put my money on the markings where removed. My only point was to get them remarked before enough time has passed that would question if they are supercedures or not. If they are performing well, you will want to know if/when they are superceeded.

IsleWx · May 14, 2008, 04:07:15 PM

Gotcha,

Thanks,

Mp