View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
mountainbee Foraging Bee

Joined: 03 Feb 2009 Posts: 182 Location: Harlan, Ky
|
Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 2:11 am Post subject: Is my swarms queen less |
|
|
I have a swarm that was caught yesterday and one that is a week old. I always check my hives the following night after being caught to see if the queen is ok by hitting the hive and listening for the buzz then stop. I noticed tonight that both of these hives were buzzing loudly and there was bees at the entrance fanning. I have never seen this behavior in swarms before once they have settled down. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Beeblebrox Guard Bee
Joined: 25 Sep 2010 Posts: 80 Location: UK - north Oxfordshire
|
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 10:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
It is unlikely BOTH are queenless - but if they are in close proximity maybe there is some other common environmental factor. Coykd the buzz be the hum of processing nectar into honey? Do you have a lot of blossom right now? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Barbara Site Admin
Joined: 27 Jul 2011 Posts: 1857 Location: England/Co.Durham/Ebchester
|
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 11:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
Did you give the first swarm that you hived a week ago, some comb? That would give them a big head start and they will almost certainly be fanning to ripen honey. The newer swarm hasn't had time, so I would imagine they are just still trying to draw everyone to their new hive.
The disgruntled and prolonged hiss of a queenless hive is quite different to fanning at the entrance, so I wouldn't be overly pessimistic about their queenrightness |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
mountainbee Foraging Bee

Joined: 03 Feb 2009 Posts: 182 Location: Harlan, Ky
|
Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 2:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
I have watched them and all seems to be well. We are starting a good flow various flowers, black locust, tulip poplar. I had never noticed this behavior in all my years. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
biobee Site Admin

Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 1059 Location: UK, England, S. Devon
|
Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 1:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have housed swarms that turned out to be queenless. The easiest solution is to give them a queen cell from another swarming hive (or their own, of course) and if none are available, give them eggs from another hive and they will make their own queen. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
SPECIAL OFFER FOR UK FORUM MEMBERS - Buy your protective clothing here and get a special 15% discount! (use the code BAREFOOTBEEKEEPER at checkout and be sure to 'update basket')
Are the big energy companies bleeding you dry?
Is way too much of your hard-earned family income going up in smoke?
Are you worried about what could happen if the ageing grid system fails?
You need to watch this short video NOW to find out how YOU can cut your energy bills TO THE BONE within 30 days!
WATCH THE VIDEO NOW
|
Conserving wild bees
Research suggests that bumble bee boxes have a very low success rate in actually attracting bees into them. We find that if you create an environment where first of all you can attract mice inside, such as a pile of stones, a drystone wall, paving slabs with intentionally made cavities underneath, this will increase the success rate.
Most bumble bee species need a dry space about the size a football, with a narrow entrance tunnel approximately 2cm in diameter and 20 cm long. Most species nest underground along the base of a linear feature such as a hedge or wall. Sites need to be sheltered and out of direct sunlight.
There is a spectacular display of wild bee hotels here
More about bumblebees and solitary bees here
Information about the Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum)
|
|
|
Barefoot Beekeeper Podcast
|
|
|
|
4th Edition paperback now available from Lulu.com
|
site map
php. BB © 2001, 2005 php. BB Group
View topic - Is my swarms queen less - Natural Beekeeping Network Forum
|
|