Possible missing queen. Help this new bee

Matthew207 · May 30, 2011, 02:40:51 PM

Hello all,
I am really new at this. I have to hives. One is doing well the other not so good. The one is question was attacked by bull ants and lost about 300-500 bees. The hive inspection last week showed larvae. This week...no larvae, no eggs. I think we may have lost the queen. However, we did notice a few queen cells, uncapped. In hopes of them raising their own queen, we moved a frame containing eggs, small larvae, large larvae and capped brood from the stronger hive. I am quite worried about the survival of this hive. Any suggestions?

Kathyp · May 30, 2011, 04:01:13 PM

sounds like you did the right thing. if they need a queen, they will make one. just keep an eye on them.

schawee · May 30, 2011, 05:38:17 PM

i agree with kathy, ... schawee

edward · May 31, 2011, 06:59:20 AM

Quote from: Matthew207 on May 30, 2011, 02:40:51 PMwe did notice a few queen cells, uncapped.

Did you see anything in the Queen cells ? Larvae or royal jelly ?

If so then they are going to bee new queens on their way .

If they are empty , your queen might bee alive , or they don't have any fresh eggs to make a new queen .

Hope everything turns out for the best .

mvh edward :P

BjornBee · May 31, 2011, 07:11:46 AM

Swap hive locations. ;)

edward · May 31, 2011, 08:14:47 AM

If one hive is weaker you can strengthen it by moving a frame of capt lave that are about to hatch / crawl out with the worker bees on the frame , make sure the queen is not.

mvh edward :-P

caticind · May 31, 2011, 04:36:17 PM

Since you saw uncapped queen cells, don't worry. You did the right thing (and the only thing you need to do) by giving them a frame of eggs. If they need a queen they will make one, and if they already have a virgin or three running around the brood will keep the numbers up in the hive.

The important thing now is not to get impatient. It may be up to a month before you see eggs again. It takes weeks for the new queen to hatch, get mated, and start laying. If you get worried, just give them another frame of eggs and brood and wait some more.

Matthew207 · June 02, 2011, 05:20:04 PM

Update! I took Scott's advice and opened up the hive in question to check in today. I found 4 queen cells. They weren't even in the places I had seen the queen cups on Saturday. I saw some near the bottom of the frames on saturday...still open. Then today, I saw new cups, already closed, about half way up the frame. In total, I found four. All were closed! Does this mean the hive is raising their own queen? I know we are just supposed to let nature work it out, but is there anything I need to do here? Or just let them be?

Michael Bush · June 03, 2011, 02:16:05 AM

You are on the right track. In about three or four weeks you should have a laying queen.

Matthew207 · June 03, 2011, 02:21:59 AM

Yeah, I am gong to keep it closed for the next month. No inspections, just let nature run it's course