which queen

troutstalker2 · April 15, 2009, 10:08:50 PM

I went out in my back yard and saw a swarm on a tree right next to my swarm trap, lucky me. I can only assume that it was from a hive that was doing well, and the only hive that I did not split. I would like to combine them to maximize the honey crop, I already have 4 hives and am not looking to make more hives. My question is how long should I wait to combine them and when I put them back together which queen should I whack, last years or this years? Or is there a better alternative?

Thanks, David

iddee · April 15, 2009, 10:40:57 PM

I know it doesn't answer the question you asked, but Here's what i would do. Right now people are begging for bees. Nobody has any for sale in NC. I would put them in a single deep, wait 1 week to insure she is laying, and put them on craig's list for 150 dollars. They would be sold the first day. Combining them will not give you 150.00 more honey.

KD4MOJ · April 16, 2009, 11:06:22 AM

Sorry for being OT, but Trout you have a nice Blue & Gold. I have a 16 year B&G old myself...

...DOUG

troutstalker2 · April 16, 2009, 02:47:04 PM

Doug, I don't own a bird, I just thing its a great pic. I do have thousands of bees though.

David

Cockatoo · April 16, 2009, 03:26:01 PM

Quote from: KD4MOJ on April 16, 2009, 11:06:22 AM
Sorry for being OT, but Trout you have a nice Blue & Gold. I have a 16 year B&G old myself...

...DOUG

I have a house FULL of cockatoos! The oldest is 32.(Iris)

My friend Ralph told me that the two different colonies will now fight it out to the death.

KD4MOJ · April 16, 2009, 04:37:28 PM

Yep I have a Bird & the Bees... the bees seem to be taking priority at the moment. Although I have introduced "Sysco" to the bees.... he likes to watch them outside at one of my birdbath bee feeders. I just make sure they don't fly up and bother him....

...DOUG

Cockatoo · April 16, 2009, 05:25:41 PM

Quote from: KD4MOJ on April 16, 2009, 04:37:28 PM
Yep I have a Bird & the Bees... the bees seem to be taking priority at the moment. Although I have introduced "Sysco" to the bees.... he likes to watch them outside at one of my birdbath bee feeders. I just make sure they don't fly up and bother him....

...DOUG

We have a conure named Sysco. :)

mherndon · April 16, 2009, 09:33:30 PM

In Tennessee, you have to have bees inspected before you are able to move or sell bees by one of the state inspectors. Had a meeting a couple of weeks ago and met our State Apiarist. He said with AHB not too far away, he is going to have to get tougher on the state regulations.

Mark