Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[rendauphin]

Here is a link to some pictures of comb in a hive that only just survived the winter. https://flic.kr/ps/2e4qZV
There is no brood, no stores just lots of drones. There is also a strange invader that has tunnelled into the comb. Any interpretation would be very helpful
Thanks
jim

[Che Guebuddha]

I too had a hive come out of the winter queen-less and they developed a Laying Worker who only lays unfertilized eggs which become Drones. This is their last attempt to spread their genes via their drones mating with virgin queens (not stupid at all).

I gave them a comb from another colony with eggs and young larvae in hope they will try and raise a new queen but they very likely new its not their blood so they ignored the this "kind" act of mine. Lots of drone brood no Queen Cups. And since they dwindled like yours I decided to give all their combs to a growing split of mine and in two days all the remaining bees, together with their laying worker died.

In case a laying worker colony is still strong one can shake out all the bees 50 meters from their current location and let them return. All house bees together with the laying worker bee will be lost but the flying bees will go back. Re-queening could be an option or giving them a comb with new eggs from another colony. Im not sure if it possible to combine such colony with a stronger colony via the newspaper method?

[trekmate]