Feedback anyone?

JP · June 15, 2005, 12:44:16 AM

Last inspection one week ago. Hive #1, 5 frames worked. Hive #2, 5 frames worked. Today Hive #1, 6 frames worked. Hive # 2, 7 frames worked. These hives were installed twenty days ago. I observed in Hive #1 some cells that dropped straight down from comb, they paralleled the frames did not stick out. Were about a half to 3/4 inche long. I noticed perhaps two of these on different frames in the center of the hive. Queen cells? I noticed one of these cells in Hive #2 as well, also near center of hive. Feedback anyone? Much appreciated, JP.

Finsky · June 15, 2005, 01:18:29 AM

Quote from: JPThese hives were installed twenty days ago. .

Their life will be easy soon when new bees emerge. The time is 21 days.

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QuoteQueen cells? I noticed one of these cells in Hive #2 as well, also near center of hive.

It may be that bees want to change the queen. If they want to swarms, they build more queen cells. I have read that often nuc bees want to change queen. Reason is nosema.

Did you queen cell had larva inside or was it only a base cup?

You have quite a good beginning. When new bees emerge, hive will fill whole box. It is important that bees enlarge brood area. Let them gather food from nature. Do not force them draw foundations.

Put second foundation box under brood and let them take it into usage them selves. They will arrange their room. If you do so, you can take food frames and put them down and you put foundation in the warm of upper box. They move move honey from lower box to upper and they draw foundations.

Put pollen frames down. They store pollen in lower box and it release cells for eggs.

Do not feed! It takes room from eggs.

The goal is maximize the space for brood in the warmest parts of hive. Food is in cooler parts.

JP · June 15, 2005, 10:20:29 AM

Didn't notice any larvae in these cells, & they weren't capped, they were open. As for feeding, I was told I should, so the colony can build a good foundation, but I am open for suggestions. I will be adding that second super soon, so they can spread out. Question #1, think adding next super will cut down on queen cell formation? ( if, that's what they are)
Question #2, should I cut these cells out? I was told from a new bee friend who is a twenty yr commercial beekeeping veteran, that the supplier I got my Russian bees from, typically supplies package hive bees with queens that are probably not virgins. Question #3, when should I stop feeding, cause I was going to continue feeding after the next super was added. Bees have plenty of pollen right now but there is no nectar or honey flow on now, that apparently ended 3rd week of May. Thnx, & may the force be with you, JP.

JP · June 15, 2005, 10:24:43 AM

also, forgot to mention, it's been 94 degrees in daytime here, about 85 @ night.

Finsky · June 15, 2005, 10:39:34 AM

Quote from: JPalso, forgot to mention, it's been 94 degrees in daytime here, about 85 @ night.

Oh boy! Same temperature as in brood area. Bees really need cooling. No to heating cables!

Finsky · June 15, 2005, 10:49:25 AM

Quote from: JPDidn't notice any larvae in these cells, & they weren't capped, they were open. .

If they are mere bottom cups, it is NOT sign of swarming.

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QuoteQuestion #1, think adding next super will cut down on queen cell formation? .

There is no queen cell formation if there is no egg or larva. It is their habit.

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QuoteQuestion #2, should I cut these cells out? .

No use

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QuoteI got my Russian bees from, ....

Do you have Russians? Do they make all the time queen cells.

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Quote3, when should I stop feeding, cause I was going to continue feeding after the next super was added. Bees have plenty of pollen right now but there is no nectar or honey flow on now, that apparently ended 3rd week of May..

That is good reason to keep inspiration on.

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QuoteThnx, & may the force be with you, JP.

This is not only to me, but I need extra forces, what ever they are.

But in America you can accelerate your economy a little bit that my stocks will rise. Feet away from brakes, please :P

Miss Chick-a-BEE · June 15, 2005, 09:22:54 PM

It looks like Finsky got it all covered. :)

Wondering about the possible unused queen cells. From what you described, they do sound like queen cells. In particular they sound like swarm cells. But is would seem odd that BOTH hives wanted to swarm this early after starting. And not only would that be odd, but if the queen cups are unused, then they had changed their minds. That would be extremely uncommon for your only two hives to do that at the same time.

Wish we had a picture to see. Were the cells made of a thicker wax? Bumpy, sorta reminding you of a peanut? The swarm cups are smaller with closer bumps than a supercedure cell. Plus the supercedure cell is generally poking out and hanging down from the center of the frame.

Beth

JP · June 15, 2005, 11:01:52 PM

They didn't remind me of a peanut, more like a small acorn cup. They are Russian bees though, & I've heard they have strong swarming tendencies, but they are more mite resistant. So far they have a good disposition but I'm told they can have attitude problems. Well, I'm having fun anyway. These darn bees sure are challenging, in a good way, though. It was 96 degrees here today, lots of sweating.

Finsky · June 16, 2005, 12:01:27 AM

Quote from: JPThey didn't remind me of a peanut, more like a small acorn cup. They are Russian bees though, & I've heard they have strong swarming tendencies, but they are more mite resistant. .

Varroa mite is really easy to handle, but I have understood that Russian bee is much more difficult. To handle mite takes few minutes per year. I have read about Russian bee and it seems to be quite capricious.

I think that I am "Russian bee resistant", if I meet them sometimes.
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JP · June 16, 2005, 08:05:40 AM

I'll let everyone know when I become Russian resistant, until then, I'm simply beekeeping. It seems that part of the beauty in beekeeping, like anything truly " new " is the discovery process. So far I've discovered that I do enjoy beekeeping & that everyone on here has challenges, some more than others. It seems no matter what we do to control the bees they are really the ones that are in contol.

Jerrymac · June 16, 2005, 08:14:24 AM

Yep. Man has always fooled himself when thinking he is in control of anything.

Finsky · June 16, 2005, 08:34:45 AM

Quote from: JP... here has challenges, some more than others. It seems no matter what we do to control the bees they are really the ones that are in contol.

OK! May be Russian give just control challenges. Italian is surely too easy for that. :D Clip the queen's wing that it does not fly out of control. Bee has no remote control?