Queenless

[jeff4051]

Inspected hives today main hive Queenless, no brood no eggs hardly any bees plenty of honey. Before any one says there could be a queen hiding there has been nothing there for approx. 6 weeks, had experienced Beeks with me as well. What to do, I believe its too late to buy a mated queen the hive is too depleated, combine with other hive I believe is the only option. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[oliver90owner]

had experienced Beeks with me as well.*

But they were not very helpful!

First check for a queen before attempting to unite. There may be one there,hiding.

This is what you should have done five weeks ago.

 

[jeff4051]

Bee inspector checked hive 5-6 weeks ago there was a very large capped Q cell there which we transplanted there previous, he stated because of the colour it was nearly ready to hatch or it was dead. Checked it 3 weeks ago Q cell empty, checked again today nothing, will leave it another week then maybe combine. Hive one full of honey, hive 2 new queen from split going well but not much stores.

 

[oliver90owner]

6 weeks ago there is a queen cell which may be dead. Not surprising the cell was empty three weeks later. Probably part torn down. Tell us more - had the queen cell been opened from the side or the tip?

I will repeat, check for a queen before uniting. The normal check is easy to do. Otherwise you will be risking having your good colony spoiled.

 

[TOBY-3652]

6 weeks ago there is a queen cell which may be dead. Not surprising the cell was empty three weeks later. Probably part torn down. Tell us more - had the queen cell been opened from the side or the tip?

I will repeat, check for a queen before uniting. The normal check is easy to do. Otherwise you will be risking having your good colony spoiled.

 

[jeff4051]

The Q cell was split in various places top, side, we were hoping it had emerged. We did a thougher inspection for the queen, it was easy due to the lack of bees. They were so quiet. There was a half hearted attempt to make a Q cell, we believe the bees were making it just in case they can get a Queen. Do you think its to late in the year to buy a Queen if we could get one???????????

 

[Erichalfbee]

A queen cell that is ragged and split has been torn down.
A queen cell from which a queen has emerged looks like this

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

There was a half hearted attempt to make a Q cell, we believe the bees were making it just in case they can get a Queen. ?

Eh? Maybe a little more time spent at the books, or maybe a course this winter might be in order.

Do you think its to late in the year to buy a Queen if we could get one???????????

Not too late to buy a queen - but in this colony's case I think it's too late for them - most sensible thing to do would be to shake them out in front of the other hives and mark it down to experience (or not as the case may be)

 

[Tom Bick]

The Q cell was split in various places top, side, we were hoping it had emerged. We did a thougher inspection for the queen, it was easy due to the lack of bees. They were so quiet. There was a half hearted attempt to make a Q cell, we believe the bees were making it just in case they can get a Queen. Do you think its to late in the year to buy a Queen if we could get one???????????

If you spotted a half hearted queen cell in the hive then to me it would suggest all is not well and could be from a laying worker.

You need to try a test frame from your other hive this may give you an indication of Q+ or Q- but if the hive has started with laying workers they may give you a Q+ indication. Better advice would have been the test frame a few weeks ago especially as the original QC was known to be a bit dodgy.

 

[Chris B]

Whatever you do, do it fast. The only thing of value left in the hive is the honey and that won't be defended much longer in a dwindling colony.
Personally I'd just shake the bees out and let them find their way into the other hive.

 

[jeff4051]

Yes too late now, Wont combine at moment will wait and see what happens. At least the second hive will have plenty of stores. I shall put this down to experience.