Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Beekeeping 101 => Topic started by: Dunkel on April 20, 2014, 10:33:24 am

Title: Swarm Control Topic II
Post by: Dunkel on April 20, 2014, 10:33:24 am
Well the stolen hive that lost its top in a storm has decided to swarm.  I checked Friday on them.  A dozen or so cells rounded off ready to cap.  So yesterday between fertilizer spreader fill ups, I went in search of the queen.  Found her on a brood frame,  but no eggs and some older larva.  She was getting ready.

I took her Nuc over to 5 others a few miles away.  They had all released there queens last Sunday, but I only found 4.  The last one I couldn't find her, but I found 5 capped queen cells.  I had taken a frame with some uncapped brood to make it up with.  That's what I get for rushing. Cold, windy, late and tired.  I will check it again this evening for the queen.

Question,  When should I go back in the swarming hive to split the queen cells?  They were mostly on two frames so I would like to make up at least two more splits. 
Title: Re: Swarm Control Topic II
Post by: LazyBkpr on April 20, 2014, 04:34:12 pm
I would probably keep a close eye on them and watch when they are capped, and count that as day 9, then move them on day 13. That should give you a couple days leeway in case one was capped a day or two ahead of the others. They are normally capped at day nine and emerge on day sixteen.
Title: Re: Swarm Control Topic II
Post by: Dunkel on April 20, 2014, 09:13:55 pm
Thanks Lazy, ;D I'll get to it either Tuesday or Wednesday.  Depends on this cold front moving through tomorrow night.  Trying to get some fertilizer on some hay ground before the rain.  Somehow I need to teach Newtons Three Laws of Motion  to 150 middle school students sometime in between.  This body is in motion and I need to stay that way :D  I hate spring soreness.
Title: Re: Swarm Control Topic II
Post by: LazyBkpr on April 20, 2014, 09:23:42 pm
  I hate spring soreness.

  Oh LORD! Lets not even go there right now!!  Seems that every year spring gets harder to adjust to!!!   If I didnt have cabin fever after this nasty winter I'd try to stay in my chair.