Made splits and have Queen delay

mdbee · May 08, 2012, 12:44:55 PM

Made a few splits thinking the queens would be here the next day but as we all know keeping bee's is never a sure thing. How long can i keep them queenless before they start making queen cells and what should i do when i get them? It could be another week before they ship.
Thanks!

Kathyp · May 08, 2012, 01:10:51 PM

if they had the resources, they have already started making queens.

Larry Bees · May 08, 2012, 02:14:22 PM

If they make their own queen cells, I would be very happy!

When the other queens make it to you, then just make up some more splits.

Larry

danno · May 08, 2012, 04:31:08 PM

You might have some acceptance issues in another week. What I would do is when you put the queens in cut any cells that you find. I would also get a roll of cheap masking tape. Place a single pc of it over the end of the candy and punch a hole through the tape with a tooth pick. This will give a a solid 3 days before release. On the 4th or 5 day check the cages. They should be empty but if they are not watch how the bees are acting. If they are not accepting her they will be aggressively biting the cage. If they are dont release her. They will just ball and kill her.

mdbee · May 08, 2012, 05:25:54 PM

If i find no cells is it a good chance they will accept the queens ? I still will do as danno says and tape the end to make sure they have time, if by chance they do have cells I will just let the make their own. If they have cells but not caped can i take a chance that they will make queens or should i take them out and add the queens?
I called my queen supplier and they did ship on Monday, its a good chance they will come tomorrow, if so they have been queenless for a total of five days.

Thanks!

danno · May 09, 2012, 08:18:21 AM

If they have the resources they are making queens. You can let them do it you will loose most of your summer with them. First it takes almost 2 weeks to make a queen. Then a week for her to mature and a week to mate. You have just lost a month and she hasn't layed a egg yet. Now she starts laying but it will be 3 weeks before you see any of her daughters. Thats the best part of 2 months and all this time your hive will be dwindleing. If you give them a mated queen you save 1 month. I would cut out queen cells and install a mated one

tefer2 · May 09, 2012, 08:53:36 AM

The only upset to letting them make their own queen is that you break the mites breeding cycle. Could cost you some honey though.

danno · May 09, 2012, 12:18:16 PM

Terry
have you ever tried subliminating a new swarm? No brood so if they done abscond they should be mite free

Jim134 · May 09, 2012, 06:05:27 PM

Quote from: mdbee on May 08, 2012, 12:44:55 PM
Made a few splits thinking the queens would be here the next day but as we all know keeping bee's is never a sure thing. How long can i keep them queenless before they start making queen cells and what should i do when i get them? It could be another week before they ship.
Thanks!

Introduce a mated Queen with in 24 Hr.After 24 Hr. the bees may start Queen cells. A mated Queen will not kill developing Queen and may be killed by an emering Queen.Hope this help you.

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

mdbee · May 10, 2012, 01:04:23 PM

I got my queens and now we have a cold front. I have 12 hives that i want to make splits with, at what temp. would it be safe to open them up? I have to find the old queens and you know how that goes, some are easy but the rest can be fun so i will have them open for a time.