requeen a swarm?

[dp]

Not very clear on swarms.  Got two swarms this week.  Isn't the queen that leaves with a swarm an "old" queen?  Is it best to requeen that hive as soon as possible, or do you let the bees take care of that?  Maybe you just keep and eye on it and see how the new queen lays eggs?

[hardwood]

Let her go until you know that she needs a good pinching!

Scott

[Michael Bush]

>Not very clear on swarms.  Got two swarms this week.  Isn't the queen that leaves with a swarm an "old" queen?

The first swarm.  Yes.  The next one, no.

> Is it best to requeen that hive as soon as possible, or do you let the bees take care of that?

I never do.

>  Maybe you just keep and eye on it and see how the new queen lays eggs?

Odds are the bees will replace her soon enough if she needs to be.

[jaseemtp]

I have been catching swarms this month and I have not requeened any of them.  Now I did get on 6 days ago and they are freaking grumpy bees.  I will requeen this have this week, that is if I can even find her.  I am not 100% certain that she is in there.

[AllenF]

Never waste a good queen now.    The hive will replace her if needed.   Or you can replace her in the fall during your requeening with the rest of your hives. 

[ordka]

My Neighbor, fellow beekeeper, had an extra queen coming tomorrow and asked me if I wanted to requeen the swarm we picked up a month ago.  I had intended to requeen it later in the summer or fall, but thought it a good opportunity to do it.  I got into the hive this morning and after looking at every frame found her and pinched her.  I left her in the bottom of the hive.  The new queen should arrive tomorrow.  I have seen so many different opinions on how long to wait until putting the new queen in, it is really just up to the individual beekeeper.  I am just waiting 24 hrs before putting the queen in.  I felt pretty bad pinch the old queen.  She seemed to be doing okay.  lots of capped brood an larva...although I think the lay patterns was a bit sporadic.  I am crossing my fingers that they will take well to the new queen.

[Kathyp]

don't think i would have left her, but.....

i don't replace swarm queens.  i don't see any reason to kill any queen that's doing a good job and the hive is not nasty.  + my goal is to keep survivor hives.  most of the time you don't know where a swarm comes from, but you do know it didn't come out of a package  ;). 

i don't see any reason to rush the release of a queen.  i have even been known to forget that i put one in there....for a week or so.....

[Michael Bush]

Overnight is perfect.  I would just put her in a nuc.  You never know when you'll wish you had a laying queen around.  Delivery of queens is iffy at best.

[jaseemtp]

I agree, I would not have left the old queen in the hive.  I also would have moved her to a nuc with a frame or two of bees.  If you have the space to add a nuc.

[Danger Brown]

I'd feel pretty guilty too about pinching a queen. Haven't done it yet beeing I'm fairly new. But I certainly don't like the thought of it.

[ordka]

Update - the hive took well to the new queen.   I got in last night and saw eggs and very busy bees.

[yockey5]

I hived a swarm last month and the queen is doing very poorly, although she is a good looker. They have capped brood that is looking very good, but very little larvae, and absolutely NO eggs. She will be pinched next Tues., and replaced next Weds.

[ordka]

Yep.  Sounds like the time for a good pinch.  Good Luck!

[Danger Brown]

Good job Ordka!