Mated Queen??

craneman54 · May 05, 2015, 07:17:07 PM

I am a complete rookie at bee keeping. Can anyone tell if this Queen has been mated?
If you can tell would you please explain how?

Maggiesdad · May 05, 2015, 08:24:53 PM

I'm a rookie, too... don't know.

But I do know she shore is purty!

craneman54 · May 06, 2015, 12:22:29 AM

Yea she does look good.

I was just reading an old thread where some people stated that if the queen is moving around the hive rather fast she is probably not mated.

When I saw this queen she was wondering around and moving quickly. I may have to wait and see if she lays eggs or all of a sudden looks more full in the abdomen. Or at least slows down in her movements.

don2 · May 06, 2015, 12:31:21 AM

A young queen will move around that way. I would say the only way to tell if she is mated is to see the brood once it is capped. You would not be able to tell by her size or movement. d2

craneman54 · May 06, 2015, 01:04:35 AM

I understand what you are saying.

Thanks.

BeeMaster2 · May 06, 2015, 12:41:20 PM

Just watch her when walking on the comb. Under normal conditions, a mated queen walks on the comb not on bees and the bees will not walk on her. If mated she will usually have a royal court. Bees surrounding her, all facing her and picking up her pheromones and then spreading them to all corner of the hive.
If you smoked the heck out of them you probably will not see this.
A virgin queen does not get any respect. They walk on her and she has to walk on them. As mentioned, a virgin queen walks fast and goes all around the hive to orient herself.

Jim

craneman54 · May 06, 2015, 01:17:10 PM

Now that you mention it the workers did not move out her way.

Hope she mates soon this swarm is too small to spend money to buy a new queen.

BeeMcq · May 06, 2015, 01:21:59 PM

Just look at the comb, if you see eggs or lava you have a laying queen.

don2 · May 06, 2015, 04:11:17 PM

But don't forget, a laying queen does not always mean a mated queen. d2

craneman54 · May 06, 2015, 09:41:33 PM

It would be my luck she isn't mated.
A few more days should tell the tale though.

OldMech · May 06, 2015, 10:58:08 PM

If she is not mated she soon will be, provided she can go on mating flights. Come back in a week and your likely to see eggs and brood.

craneman54 · May 06, 2015, 11:32:45 PM

Well the hive is open and I know 3 days ago I picked up the frame with her on it. She immediately fly back in the box. So I guess it is waiting time.

craneman54 · May 07, 2015, 01:17:51 PM

Went check my little hive this morning.

I found eggs and some small larva.
The bees are also building on a little more comb.

craneman54 · May 07, 2015, 10:28:36 PM

Well that didn't take long. My little swam has been chased out by sugar ants.

The ants are cleaning out the comb now.

I had put cinnamon an the inner cover and around the hive stand yesterday. I guess it got rid of the wrong bugs.

BeeMaster2 · May 08, 2015, 12:22:25 AM

Craneman,
I hate to have to tell you this but going into the hive and taking it apart every day will also drive them out.
It looks like you have looked at the frames every day for the last 3 days.
The most that you want to inspect the hives is once a week, better yet, once every 10 days.
You could lift the lid (no smoke) and look but not going through removing frames.
Jim

craneman54 · May 08, 2015, 01:14:50 AM

That could very well be. I do tend to get impatient at times and also curious as to what is going on inside.
I wasn't going to open it today. I was going to watch and see if any incoming bees were bringing in pollen so I could show the wife who wanted to see.

You are right but please if I post that I am doing something wrong don't be afraid to let me know. I have everything to learn and need all the help I can get.

Thanks for pointing this out.

biggraham610 · May 08, 2015, 01:40:24 AM

Live and learn buddy, sucks to lose a small swarm, but, I bet you catch another. Good luck brother, keep your chin up. G

craneman54 · May 08, 2015, 08:14:09 AM

I have 3 swarms in traps now that I will be bringing home this weekend. Plus 2 Packages coming. If Kelly bees would just return my messages and e mail so I can know when they are coming.

BeeMaster2 · May 08, 2015, 11:38:09 PM

Craneman,
Since you will have a bunch of hives, you will bee able to offset your inspections so that you are not in any one hive too often. Good luck.
Jim

craneman54 · May 09, 2015, 12:44:38 AM

Yep I learned my lesson. STOP going in the hives so dang much!!!

I had a guy ask me yesterday if I can get some bees out of the wall in his camp. Said it has been there for 3 years. I have never done a cut out or anything like that. It sure would be nice to have as big a catch as this one could be. He is suppose to call me so we can go look at the wall and see what I may need to get this done. Now I have to build a bee vac. A 3 year old hive will likely have a bunch of ladies in it.