Swarm Control Topic II

[Dunkel]

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. 

[LazyBkpr]

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.

[Dunkel]

Thanks Lazy, 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   I hate spring soreness.

[LazyBkpr]

  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.