Queen cells

[Joelel]

Are swarm queen cells always with some on the bottom of the frames ? We have a strong one brood box hive,only one empty frame and parts of some others.We have queen cells and a queen.Are they building swarm cells ?

[deejaycee]

only one empty frame and parts of some others

Why are the frames empty?  Are they in an area that would normally be used for brood?  If you have queen cells on the faces of frames and unused brood space in a small (single box) brood nest, that sounds a lot more like a failing queen that they're going to supercede to me.   

Also, are these actually queen cells or queen cups?  Cups will be short empty queen cell starters that it is quite normal for the bees to keep a few of in reserve.  If the cells have been extended downwards and elongated, have brood in them or are capped, then you have queen cells.. and a problem.

[Joelel]

only one empty frame and parts of some others

Why are the frames empty?  Are they in an area that would normally be used for brood?  If you have queen cells on the faces of frames and unused brood space in a small (single box) brood nest, that sounds a lot more like a failing queen that they're going to supercede to me.   

Also, are these actually queen cells or queen cups?  Cups will be short empty queen cell starters that it is quite normal for the bees to keep a few of in reserve.  If the cells have been extended downwards and elongated, have brood in them or are capped, then you have queen cells.. and a problem.

They are empty because they haven't started drawing out the comb yet. Just that parts are empty. The tops and most of the sides are full but the bottoms are not drawn out,is that normal ? Thank you,I think I only have cups.

[Michael Bush]

>Are swarm queen cells always with some on the bottom of the frames ?

No.  But they are always in a hive that is either crowded or overly strong.

>We have a strong one brood box hive,only one empty frame and parts of some others.We have queen cells and a queen.Are they building swarm cells ?

Possibly, but it's more likely they are supersedure cells.

[Joelel]

>Are swarm queen cells always with some on the bottom of the frames ?

No.  But they are always in a hive that is either crowded or overly strong.

>We have a strong one brood box hive,only one empty frame and parts of some others.We have queen cells and a queen.Are they building swarm cells ?

Possibly, but it's more likely they are supersede cells.

Thank you,we are going back in the hive in 3 days to see if they have become cells or are still cups. I doubt they are supersede cells,if they become cells.We have a new real good queen. I do think the hive is crowded with bees even though there is space on the frames to be drawn.