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Author Topic: Mated Queen??????  (Read 1362 times)

Offline Georgia Boy

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Mated Queen??????
« on: April 21, 2013, 09:14:54 pm »
In talking with another beek from up north, I mentioned there was drones in my pkg. He thought that was unusual. Then he asked if the queen was mated. I was embarrassed to say I didn't know and didn't think you would sell a pkg without the queen being mated but what do I know.

So, is it common to have drones in a pkg of bees?

Is it common for the queen to be a virgin in the pkg?

I will call my guy and find out if the queen was mated or not. If not it will at least give the bees a head start on building comb.

Last one for this post. If my newly installed pkg o bees are in the house cleaning mode, is that a good sign they plan to stay?

Thanks for all of your patience with me and for all of your help.

Much appreciated.

David   
"Give it All You've Got"
"Never give up. Never surrender."

Offline Steel Tiger

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Re: Mated Queen??????
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2013, 09:34:02 pm »
The queen should be mated before it was sent.
If you've seen the way they packaged bees, there's no doubt drones can get mixed in.
Bees will stay if they find that the hive is suitable. If they're starting to build comb and coating the inside, it's probably home for them.
 Good luck with them

Offline Joe D

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Re: Mated Queen??????
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2013, 09:34:55 pm »
David, I haven't bought a package, but if you put them in yesterday and they are still there tonight I would think they will stay.   Good luck to you and your bees.





Joe

Offline Georgia Boy

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Re: Mated Queen??????
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2013, 10:00:12 pm »
Thanks guys.

David.
"Give it All You've Got"
"Never give up. Never surrender."

Offline buzzbee

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Re: Mated Queen??????
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2013, 10:41:25 pm »
Package bees are shaken from full strength hives. There will most likely be a lot of drones along with bees of all ages.
There is always the possibility a queen got shook in with your package, though not likely.
Your queen should be mated.

Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Mated Queen??????
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2013, 09:57:04 am »
>So, is it common to have drones in a pkg of bees?

Yes.

>Is it common for the queen to be a virgin in the pkg?

There is always SUPPOSED to be a laying queen.  But yes, it IS common for the queen to be a virgin, unfortunately...

>I will call my guy and find out if the queen was mated or not. If not it will at least give the bees a head start on building comb.

They will assume she is.  While she well might not be...

>Last one for this post. If my newly installed pkg o bees are in the house cleaning mode, is that a good sign they plan to stay?

Probably.
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