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Author Topic: Why do bees build queen cells  (Read 8647 times)

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Offline rodmaker

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Why do bees build queen cells
« on: March 22, 2014, 11:04:18 am »
  I have two hives with plenty of room not blocked by honey yet on the bottom of the bars in upper brood chamber they have started to build two queen cells. The cells are only about one quarter inch deep. Question is will the bees do this out of habit in the spring or are they really preparing to swarm?
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Offline blueblood

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Re: Why do bees build queen cells
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2014, 11:09:20 am »
Some photos would be nice.  Sound like queen cups?  Where are the cells located on the frame?
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Offline brooksbeefarm

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Re: Why do bees build queen cells
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2014, 11:17:35 am »
They may just be queen cups? (thats what i'm thinking you have)The Russian breed of of bees will have queen cups all summer long, and other breeds will build them and tear them down. If they are queen cells? they are either going to swarm or supersede the old queen. Jack
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Offline apisbees

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Re: Why do bees build queen cells
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2014, 12:20:42 pm »
It sounds like queen cups if there is on eggs or larva in them. the bees will build them and have some and as long as the brood chamber is not crowded and the queen has lots of room to lay then eggs generally wont get laid in them.
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Offline rodmaker

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Re: Why do bees build queen cells
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2014, 04:50:38 pm »
    Thank you for the advise i believe they are cups as you say due to size and location on the bottom bar of the frame and only two in the box. I am just a third year beekeeper and have a lot to learn. I have not seen this before and that is why i asked the question. The only dumb question is the one not asked!
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joseph

Offline tecumseh

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Re: Why do bees build queen cells
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2014, 06:33:02 pm »
I make the distinction between a 'dry queen cell cup' (meaning it has no egg or larvae in the cup itself) vs a 'queen cell' (which does have egg, larvae or is capped and will fairly quickly produce a virgin queen).  This is somewhat important since a lot of new beekeepers see the 'dry queen cell cup' and automatically assume their hive is going to swarm.  I am not certain anyone really know why hives produce dry cups and some seem to produce a few and some many.
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Offline riverbee

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Re: Why do bees build queen cells
« Reply #6 on: March 25, 2014, 12:45:02 pm »
rodmaker,

some helpful information, go to this thread, post #1:

Queen Cell Identification
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Offline pistolpete

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Re: Why do bees build queen cells
« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2014, 08:18:02 pm »
My theory is that bees build these just in case queen cups to keep the queen from slacking.   As in:  keep laying or else!
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Offline riverbee

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Re: Why do bees build queen cells
« Reply #8 on: March 25, 2014, 11:56:32 pm »
my theory is.......survival....... :yes:
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Offline Jen

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Re: Why do bees build queen cells
« Reply #9 on: March 26, 2014, 12:00:28 am »
Pistol! You're sounding like a Pimp! Now Come On!    :laugh:

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Offline pistolpete

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Re: Why do bees build queen cells
« Reply #10 on: March 26, 2014, 11:28:13 pm »
Not where I was going with that at all.   The image I had in my head was of some bees in hard hats building queen cups and  some others in police uniforms following the queen around.
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Offline apisbees

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Re: Why do bees build queen cells
« Reply #11 on: March 29, 2014, 06:28:43 am »
Quote from: pistolpete on March 26, 2014, 11:28:13 pm
Not where I was going with that at all.   The image I had in my head was of some bees in hard hats building queen cups and  some others in police uniforms following the queen around.
that sounds like down town eastside, in Vancouver where the pimps hang out.
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Offline Edward

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Re: Why do bees build queen cells
« Reply #12 on: March 29, 2014, 07:49:32 am »
May bee they just like to plan ahead, just in case.

If you constantly remove the dry cells they just make more.

dont bother, it good to know where they are , makes inspecting faster


mvh Edward  :P
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Offline rodmaker

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Re: Why do bees build queen cells
« Reply #13 on: March 29, 2014, 10:30:22 am »
   I am just learning what to look for and i opened the hive again yesterday and found more queen cups they were all empty. Like you said maybe they need the practice or are just ready in case needed but there is a lot of room in this hive.
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joseph

Offline tecumseh

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Re: Why do bees build queen cells
« Reply #14 on: April 01, 2014, 06:46:42 am »
as far as I know from what I have read.   no one really know 'why' a hives produces queen cell cups that then seem to exist for ages totally unused.  it does seem some kinds of bees make more and some make less.... but basically no one really knows the answer to question why.
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Offline Edward

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Re: Why do bees build queen cells
« Reply #15 on: April 01, 2014, 01:33:12 pm »
Maybee its the workers way of telling the Queen to beehave and get to work or we will replace you  :D ;)


mvh Edward  :P
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"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best-" and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were.
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