laying workers question

[dogdrs]

I have been trying to correct a laying worker hive by adding brood frames weekly for the last three weeks.  At the last inspection 2 days ago I found queen cells.  Can i stop adding brood frames now?

[BearCountry]

It sounds like you've already added at least three frames, and now you've got the queen cells.  I don't think you need to add any more frames, you've accomplished your objective. 

[Kathyp]

if it were my hive, and i could spare the frames, i'd probably go one more.  you  never know if they are going to be satisfied with what they started.  it would do no harm unless it would hurt your donor hive.

[dogdrs]

Thanks, I think I may add one more brood frame.  I have one very strong hive that can handle it.  Another question:  In addition to adding another brood frame, if I were to purchase a queen and get her in there in the next few days, would they be likely to take to her.  I'm thinking that could get them on track faster and there is some concern here in FL about AHB's if they make there own queen.

[Kathyp]

we did this with a friend/acquaintances hive.  it worked, but we left the queen caged for (i think) 5 days.  you could use a push cage or introduction frame.

we took out the frame with the queen cells first, then introduced the queen.  if you were going to do this, i would not add that frame of eggs.  why give them a choice? 

i did i t this way just because it felt right, and because she got twitchy and purchased a queen.  it worked, but i don't know if we did the recommended thing, or just got lucky.  laying worker hives i have not had much experience with, thankfully!

others on here have done more and will hopefully chime in.

[RayMarler]

If they've already started queen cells, then chances are good they'd do-in an introduced queen. If you are confident to remove all queen cells at least 4 hours before introducing the queen, then it would probably work fine.

[dogdrs]

so, I guess they treat a queen cell just like a queen?  It may be too late at this point anyway.  I saw one capped cell and one open queen cell with a larva in it 4 days ago.  But, they were both on an older frame, not one of the new brood frames that I had installed.  Will they create a queen cell with a drone larva in it?!  Now I'm really confused!

[Kathyp]

this is my thinking:  if they are making queen cells, even if they are making them out of the wrong stuff, they are getting the idea that they need a queen.  rather than possibly waste money on a queen, i'd add that new frame of eggs and i'd do it now.  if what they have built is a dud, they will try again.  this will still cause a delay in getting a queen into the hive, but numbers should be ok since you have been adding frames of brood.  the new eggs will help hold even longer.

the other option would be to get rid of those queen cells and take your chances introducing a queen.  in that case, i'd leave her caged for at a week before letting her lose in there.

[dogdrs]

Thanks so much for your advice kathyp.  I think I'll try another brood frame when I get home tonight.  I'm not all that worried about production at this point as I am about saving the hive.  You're right, there are still plenty of bees and more coming with the frames I've already added.  We'll see what happens.

[Michael Bush]

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