Author Topic: Queen Cell Photos (Read 4737 times)

Scott Derrick · « **on:** May 10, 2006, 03:56:00 pm »

Hi Guys,

I have a hive that just doesn't look good. The queen isn't making a lot of brood and it just doesn't seem to be doing very well. It has about 7 or 8 queen cells and I would like some input as to what I should do. Should I take them out of let nature take it's course? I couldn't find the queen in the hive but that doesn't mean anything cuz I'm new and could have missed her. Thought these photos ranked being posted. One definately has larva and I think the other does also.

http://www.midstatebeekeepers.com/hive_photos/queen_cell_1.jpg
http://www.midstatebeekeepers.com/hive_photos/queen_cell_2.jpg
http://www.midstatebeekeepers.com/hive_photos/queen_cell_3.jpg
http://www.midstatebeekeepers.com/hive_photos/queen_cell_4.jpg

Your thoughts?

Scott Derrick

Finsky · « **Reply #1 on:** May 10, 2006, 05:07:50 pm »

Seems very bad. Perhaps queen got nosema in winter and it does not lay eggs any more. And it is not wise to raise queens from that kind of colony.

Do you have another hive?

Scott Derrick · « **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2006, 05:23:58 pm »

Finsky,

I have 2.5 other hives. One is a 5 frame nuc and 1 is a swarm (Slightly Weak) I just captured. The other is a standard hive. It seems to be doing very.

Scott

Robo · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2006, 10:11:36 pm »

I agree with Finsky. I wouldn't want to use a poor queen as the mother of a new queen. Purchase yourself another, or better yet, get your buddy Ted to give you one now that he is a bonafide queen breeder

Scott Derrick · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2006, 11:58:29 pm »

Thanks guys...I think that part of the problem I have is deformed wing virus. (DWV). You can see an earlier post with a bee from the same hive.
http://beemaster.com/beebbs/viewtopic.php?t=5073

The question is do I need to get a new queen and get rid of the existing drawn comb? Or should I keep a few frames that are acceptable and make them start over with the rest?

Scott

Robo · « **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2006, 08:29:05 am »

I would requeen and do some varroa drone cell as Finsky suggested in the other post.

I have never disposed of comb from a DWV hive, just keeping varroa under control has worked for me.

BTW, I have a hard time looking at your pictures, not sure if others do too. They load extremely slow and most of the time I only get about the top 1/2". I'm on a T1 line here at work and don't have a problem with other folks photos.

TwT · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2006, 08:58:24 am »

Scott, if you want to change out the old comb, you can do it one or 2 at a time,,, remove 1 or 2 frames put 1 or 2 foundation frames in and let them draw them out then do a few more until you get all the old comb you want removed out..

manowar422 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2006, 11:28:25 pm »

I'd enter that cell #3 pic in Beemasters contest!
That's 8)

Brian D. Bray · « **Reply #8 on:** May 12, 2006, 07:23:08 am »

I agree that's a third photo is a fantastic picture and it answered several questions that popped into my mind.
Looks to me like the hive is attempting its own supercedure but I'm concerned about the dark residue(?) show in the cells under the bee in photo 2. You might want to give them a few feedings of terramysin in addition to the varroa mite.
The two frames at a time swap out is a good suggestion and it will give you a chance to assess the present or new queen better on the newer comb.

EOHenry · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2006, 09:50:05 am »

Coincidently, I am having a very similer problem! I hived 2 pkg 2 weeks ago and when I ck them yesterday, 1 was doing GREAT! The other had very little brood and I found 1 queen cell starting. Should I requeen right away or wait and see in a week? Will my supplier replace the queen free?

Finsky · « **Reply #10 on:** May 15, 2006, 12:21:08 pm »

Quote from: EOHenry

1 was doing GREAT! The other had very little brood and I found 1 queen cell starting.

If I were you I would kill the bad queen and I would join nucs together. Hive will be strong and it builds up fast.

Later in summer it is possible to make a nuc from strong hive when you buy a queen.

Math: When you have whole box of bees they are able to make 6-7 frames brood. If you have one 3 lbs package, it makes perhaps 2 full frames brood.

Author Topic: Queen Cell Photos (Read 4737 times)

manowar422