Do uncapped Queen cells ever work in splits?

Sir Stungalot · June 11, 2008, 01:39:17 AM

This year, because I was in a hurry (bad idea) I made several splits using uncapped cells. I pulled the frame and put into a nuc box. All have failed and, it even seems the bees simply chewed out the entire cell on most of them.
Of course a capped Queen cell would always be better but, as a rule, do uncapped ones usually fail?

rdy-b · June 11, 2008, 10:42:08 PM

I read a interesting article about newzeland beekeepers requeening with uncapped cells so i would say it can be done-RDY-B http://www.beesource.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-201464.html :lol: 8-)-RDY-B

Brian D. Bray · June 13, 2008, 03:38:30 AM

Quote from: Sir Stungalot on June 11, 2008, 01:39:17 AM
This year, because I was in a hurry (bad idea) I made several splits using uncapped cells. I pulled the frame and put into a nuc box. All have failed and, it even seems the bees simply chewed out the entire cell on most of them.
Of course a capped Queen cell would always be better but, as a rule, do uncapped ones usually fail?

My bet is that they weren't queen cells just queen cups. Many hives make a habit of having queen cups available at all times, whether they use them or not. If it doesnn't have a larvae in the cell or it isn't capped--don't count on it as a dedicated queen cell.

derrick1p1 · June 13, 2008, 11:37:39 AM

I've wondered why I see empty queen cells for no good reason. All seems to be okay and then I'll find an empty cell. Interesting. Like they have a plan for 'just in case we need a queen'.

rdy-b · June 13, 2008, 10:01:32 PM

Quote from: derrick1p1 on June 13, 2008, 11:37:39 AM
I've wondered why I see empty queen cells for no good reason. All seems to be okay and then I'll find an empty cell. Interesting. Like they have a plan for 'just in case we need a queen'.

Must be there plan Bee :-D just in case plan A dont work -RDY-B

Sir Stungalot · June 15, 2008, 10:57:14 AM

Thanks for the replies. I did check the Queen cell to make sure there was a good-sized larva in it. I simply assumed they would go about finishing her up. Was not the case, darn!

Scadsobees · June 17, 2008, 10:32:48 AM

I think it *should* work, however the bees don't tolerate any damage to a queen cell, and they are very delicate.

Then again, they are bees and their brains smaller than a pin-head, so they don't exactly do things logically like we might expect....