Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Beekeeping 101 => Topic started by: vvand111 on April 04, 2017, 08:04:15 pm

Title: Signs of queenless hive
Post by: vvand111 on April 04, 2017, 08:04:15 pm

What r the signs of a queenless hive??

Title: Re: Signs of queenless hive
Post by: vvand111 on April 04, 2017, 08:09:12 pm

I mean from the outside of the hive

Title: Re: Signs of queenless hive
Post by: Perry on April 04, 2017, 08:12:59 pm

If bees are without a queen they are not as inclined to bring in pollen.

Title: Re: Signs of queenless hive
Post by: neillsayers on April 04, 2017, 10:22:39 pm

They also have a kind of groaning hum. Hard to describe but I've heard it twice and it is totally different.

Title: Re: Signs of queenless hive
Post by: riverbee on April 05, 2017, 02:11:54 pm

from the outside?

lack of bustling activity in and out the front door. not sure how to describe this.  i have had queenless hives still forage when queenless, but if they have been queenless for an extended period of time, population drops. also, there is a different sound of a qeenless hive and also the hive's disposition changes. sometimes hives may appear queenless, for example some queens will shut down laying if no nectar/pollen (dearth) are not coming in and will resume when a nectar/pollen source becomes available.

i wouldn't rely on what we see at the front door, if you suspect a hive is queenless, get in there and find out what's going on. the minute you lift the lid, the bees will probably have something to say to you...... :D

Title: Re: Signs of queenless hive
Post by: Mikey N.C. on April 05, 2017, 09:03:50 pm

Ditto, put your ear to box you'll hear .

Title: Re: Signs of queenless hive
Post by: vvand111 on April 08, 2017, 11:53:33 am

Well it is midday here. We are already around 70 degrees.

I went out to observe the hives a bit ago.

I listened, no deep roaring sound, activity is bustling at every entrance, and at least 1/2 of the bees returning to all of the hives are bringing in pollen.

Tomorrow is my day to go into 5 of these hives for inspection. I was anticipating 2 of these to possibly be queen less.  Maybe not, fingers crossed. 

Title: Re: Signs of queenless hive
Post by: Mikey N.C. on April 08, 2017, 04:32:16 pm

If the pollen is coming in sounds good,  but i'm a new bee so (twgos) as ted said take with grain of salt. :laugh:  Your weather's good now for bees an flow right ?

Title: Re: Signs of queenless hive
Post by: riverbee on April 09, 2017, 12:53:15 am

"I was anticipating 2 of these to possibly be queen less."

why are you thinking this vv?

Title: Re: Signs of queenless hive
Post by: vvand111 on April 09, 2017, 10:12:17 am

River, The two I have been concerned about are swarm catches and I am not sure the queens were caught. I have waited about 16 days to determine if they r queen right.  I will find out today and if not I will be doing some combining more than likely. 

Title: Re: Signs of queenless hive
Post by: riverbee on April 09, 2017, 09:52:12 pm

okay thanks vandy, let us know. ;)

Title: Re: Signs of queenless hive
Post by: vvand111 on April 10, 2017, 07:23:20 pm

well well well.  I am guessing this should be under the swarm thread so I am going there to post a most interesting experience  It will take me a bit to post as it is more than most want to read