Disappearing Queens?

[brooksbeefarm]

Went through hives hear at home to find some frames with eggs to start queen cells only to find 2 hives that were strong two weeks ago queenless .?? I also put two of the 15 queens i bought in a outyard two days ago that was queenless? I'm beginning to think that's what has happened to the many deadouts i had last winter? I checked and made sure last fall that all my hives was ready for winter, even combined some that seemed a little weak, only to find them dead with 80 lbs. to 100 lbs of honey above them?? Are any of you seeing this? Jack

[Jen]

Hi Jack ~ My first thought is who is your supplier?

[brooksbeefarm]

Jen, a club member orders a large amount to get a discount for members, they have been coming from Heitkams Honey Bees, but i don't think that's the problem ? The hives i've lost are from established hives that many were queens i raised. I have one outyard that has lost so many queens over the years that i was beginning to think someone was stealing them? Jack

[Jen]

Very curious for sure Jack. Are your queens marked?

[Lburou]

Dr. Jamie Ellis, in a lecture at The National Honey Show in England late last year, stated that "our queens" (in the US) typically last eight to ten months.  I noted a couple queen losses over winter as well (my grafted queens).  And in the past three years,  have noted supersedures after two to four weeks on purchased queens. 

I guess a queen lives in exposure to whatever the foragers bring in, and that can affect her negatively in a hurry.  Was just reading about pesticide exposure today.  Workers, when they are not killed outright, bring home low doses of fungicides and pesticides.  Also doing some reading on Nosema Ceranae, it can surprise you too. 

Thanks again Jack, for introducing me to That other web site via your youtube robovac video.....and I followed you here too.  :-)

[LazyBkpr]

 I would wonder what they might be getting into? What are you treating with?  I do not recall which of the miticides are hard on queens and which are hard on drones any more..  Coumophos? Fluvalinate?  Or is it something they are bringing home? A combination?   How old are your combs? Are you starting to get some of those chems building up in the wax and causing problems?
   All just guesses Jack.....

[brooksbeefarm]

Jen, no i don't mark my queens, Lburou, Your welcome, I guess i'm still living in the old days when i had marked queens that lasted 4 and 5 years? I don't think it's a pesticide problem because of where i have bees, wooded and open fields (pasture) that don't even get fertilizer for several miles around.Not many  farm homes close to them either. Like you and others have said,Nosema Ceranae could be the problem. Scott, i don't treat unless i see a problem and i use Thyme oil mixed with hbh that has worked for me for several years. I was blaming the weird weather we had last winter but, i think something else is going on?? Jack

[LazyBkpr]

I agree it is odd that you are losing queens like that.