Evidence of a queen?

diggity · August 12, 2009, 04:59:54 PM

A week or so ago I posted here about a colony that had swarmed, and I'm concerned that the old parent colony was not successful in rearing a new queen. They swarmed on July 19th and I still see no brood or eggs or queen (although, admittedly I really stink at finding the queen). Anyway, someone here recommended waiting until this week before taking action - I did, and still nothing. So I called a local apiary and explained the situation and asked if they could sell me a new queen. The owner explained that I should probably wait yet another week before buying a new queen.

All good advice, I'm learning! :)

But at the same time I read another post here which talked about disturbing the colony too much by frequently doing deep inspections in the bottom hive body. Matter of fact, when I did a deep inspection a few days ago, they got really pissy and stayed that way for a while, even coming at us while we were working in the garden several hours later. So I really don't want to disturb the girls again next week if I don't have to.

But my question is this... How else will I know if I need to buy a queen? Is there any other evidence of queenly activity (or lack thereof) to help me make a decision without ripping apart the hive again?

Thanks!
-Diggity

Kathyp · August 12, 2009, 05:16:03 PM

if you have another hive, take a frame of eggs from that hive and put it in your swarmed hive. check back in 2 days. if they have started queen cells, it's a good bet that they need a queen. if they have not, wait a week and check for evidence of a queen again. at this time of the year, i would buy a queen if they need one. scrape the newly started queen cells and introduce your queen cage. leave her caged for 4 days or so, or until they release her.

diggity · August 12, 2009, 05:47:45 PM

Thanks Kathy - yes I do have another hive (the one that swarmed, which I caught). I can take a frame from that and put it back in the parent hive. Right now I have 2 deep hive bodies and one medium honey super on that parent hive. Is it OK to put the borrowed frame in the top hive body? Or should I disturb the bees more and put it in the bottom?

Thanks!
-Diggity

TwT · August 12, 2009, 06:02:45 PM

Diggity I thought we done chatted about this (adding another frame), it
's the best way to see what a hive is doing, please re-read the post below!!

http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,24120.msg186928.html#msg186928

Kathyp · August 12, 2009, 06:04:30 PM

as long as there are plenty of bees, they will cover the brood wherever you put it. if that upper box is kind of empty, i'd put it below. if you have any other brood, like capped brood, still in there. put the eggs with that, or move it up and put the eggs with it.

diggity · August 13, 2009, 11:48:43 AM

Sorry Ted, didn't mean to question your advice or re-trace steps. I guess I'm just a overly-worried newbee. :-\

Also, truthfully, it's a matter of practicality - life getting in the way of good beekeeping (every day this week, either got home late or has been pouring rain, so haven't been able to swap in a frame, won't be able to do it Saturday because of a family engagement, might be able to get out there Sunday, but worried that time is slipping by - that kind of stuff). Anyway, apologies for being neurotic, and thanks again for the advice!

-Diggity

Kathyp · August 13, 2009, 12:04:02 PM

if you don't want to mess with it, just combine. you can split again in the spring. after they are combined, you can take a day when you have time and rearrange them for winter. combining only takes a few seconds.

diggity · August 17, 2009, 10:39:23 AM

OK, so I finally had some time yesterday to swap frames. Got suited up, lit the smoker, and figured I'd take one more peek inside the bottom deep before swapping in a frame. Guess what? There was brood! Yay! :-D

While I was doing the "I Found Brood Dance," (a little number I made up right there on the spot), it occurred to me that I've never been so excited to see insect larvae. :)

I also noticed that they were much more gentle. They didn't come at me at all, and when I filled the feeder, they just politely sipped it, rather than attacking it like they had been doing lately. So their behavior is back to normal.

I guess all is well, and I should have just been patient and let nature take its course. Ahh well, it was a great learning experience for me, and thanks again Ted and Kathy for educating a newbee beek! You guys are cool. :mrgreen:

-Diggity