JonnyPicklechin
Field Bee
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2015
- Messages
- 539
- Reaction score
- 38
- Location
- Isleworth
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 20 odd
Sunday I had quite a few capped cells in a hive but completely sure Ive got all the bees. Weather has been fine. Couldn't find the clipped marked queen so assumed thwarted swarm attempt, return of bees, loss of clipped queen.
I decided however to cut my losses and split the hive into two, distributing frames of BIAS and stores as well as bee mass evenly. I left one hive on original stand and the second across the apiary. I was careful to leave only one marked QC on each. I realise i'll get a lot more bees coming back to the original site.
I was going to go back and tear down any new cells on Thursday. Also check for eggs just in case she made it back though presumably they'd have had another go if she had?
Anyone have any comments on this manoeuvre ?
I decided however to cut my losses and split the hive into two, distributing frames of BIAS and stores as well as bee mass evenly. I left one hive on original stand and the second across the apiary. I was careful to leave only one marked QC on each. I realise i'll get a lot more bees coming back to the original site.
I was going to go back and tear down any new cells on Thursday. Also check for eggs just in case she made it back though presumably they'd have had another go if she had?
Anyone have any comments on this manoeuvre ?