Laying Worker Package (I think)

Pond Creek Farm · May 10, 2009, 11:46:45 AM

One of the packages we installed around April 1 is in trouble. I noticed a few weeks ago that they were queenless, but at that time there were several queen cells on the upper sections of the frames. Now, those cells are gone, and I cannot find a queen. What I did find were several frames of spotty drone brood. There is no worker brood in the hive. I need to have a queen, but I am unsure how to get the bees to accept her at this point. My other hives are all starters as well. Two packages and Two nucs. (our overwintered hive was robbed out last week and is gone). The others are doing well, but I really do not havve much in the way of assets to borrow without hurting the buildup of the others. Any ideas?

Pond Creek Farm · May 10, 2009, 12:59:30 PM

I found the answer in a previous post on the same subject. Sorry for the repeat.

Kathyp · May 10, 2009, 01:22:30 PM

what answer did you go with :-)

Pond Creek Farm · May 10, 2009, 02:10:05 PM

I took your advice and will shake them out and let them help the other hives instead of just slowly fading. I will try to get a nuc or a package this year still so that the assets are well-used

Kathyp · May 10, 2009, 02:38:35 PM

not my advice. :-) i came to the same conclusion. the other bees increased the numbers in my other hives also, so it was not such a loss.

Robo · May 10, 2009, 10:06:22 PM

Quote from: Pond Creek Farm on May 10, 2009, 11:46:45 AM
Any ideas?

Ask Irwin for the laying worker eliminator -> http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,17867.0.html

rast · May 10, 2009, 10:18:53 PM

I have one I will loan also. It's made to fit the plastic snap together queen cages.
Rick

MustbeeNuts · May 10, 2009, 10:39:05 PM

I made one also. gonna try it out next week I think. unless these queen cells take. :)

Pond Creek Farm · May 10, 2009, 10:55:09 PM

Great idea. I need to look at this and see if I can build one quick enough to bring it to bear on the issue. I do not even yet have the queen, but I would likely get it from Don in Georgia, and he uses wood queen cages. IT would be nice to save the hive in that in is one of two that my youngest son started. He is viewing the shakeout idea as losing a hive (which it is) rather than helping the others. I read Rob's instructions, and can likely figure out how to build it. The question is time.

patook · May 11, 2009, 01:52:12 AM

I have not had this problem yet, but I heard of a method of getting rid of the laying worker that took advantage of two facts.

1) By the time you have a laying worker. Most of your bees can fly
2) the laying worker cannot fly.

Dump your bees several feet from the hive and let them fly back. The laying worker will not get back.

It is a drastic method, but may work,

Irwin · May 11, 2009, 04:17:02 PM

Quote from: Robo on May 10, 2009, 10:06:22 PM
Quote from: Pond Creek Farm on May 10, 2009, 11:46:45 AM
Any ideas?

Ask Irwin for the laying worker eliminator -> http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,17867.0.html

All I need is an address and it's on it's way

Pond Creek Farm · May 12, 2009, 12:13:36 AM

Thanks Irwin, I really appreciate it. Now to get the queen.

Michael Bush · May 12, 2009, 08:41:38 PM

http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslayingworkers.htm