Failed Supercedure

[Jon.21]

They could both be there

Interesting so if it was a supercedure the bees could be hedging there bets to see if the new queen is better than the old one before killing the old queen ?

 

[Murox]

Harmonious cohabitation, albeit temporary, does occur.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Interesting so if it was a supercedure the bees could be hedging there bets to see if the new queen is better than the old one before killing the old queen ?

I've had a colony that overwintered with two queens, by June the following year I had three queens cohabiting before they finally sorted themselves out in the autumn

 

[Erichalfbee]

Interesting so if it was a supercedure the bees could be hedging there bets to see if the new queen is better than the old one before killing the old queen ?

Spot on.

 

[Floyd]

Evening Guys

A quick update on the original post. Got prepped to move a test frame from the Q+ hive.

Then a full inspection of believed failed supersedure hive, shaking off each frame. No queens cells found not even any evidence that they actually existed at all and a nice healthy black queen strutting her way around frame 6. No signs of brood, eye sight not so good to see eggs (forgot my magnifying glass!)

If she is a virgin, temps here have been around 18c so hopefully see will get mated by the other hives located in the area.

I had held off varroa treatment of this hive, so should I go ahead and if so apistan strips or Apiguard. Previously whilst beekeeping in the Scottish Highlands, I was lucky enough to live in one of the few remaining varroa free areas, so this is probably the area I lack the most experience.

Thanks for all your help, and your knowledge continually shared to all posts.

Have a good evening