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How long to wait for a Virgin...

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damienpryan:
Hi Guys,

I've caught 3 swarms 7-14 days ago...
One of the new colonies shows no sign of a queen (no eggs, cannot find her) but is busy building comb etc.

I'm guessing it is a virgin queen swarm.

How long should I wait for her to start laying?
And if she doesn't, should I just combine it into one of the new colonies.
(I have too many hives anyway...)

Cheers

Damien

TheHoneyPump:
Queen from scratch (larvae):   22-28 days to laying.  Longer if weather is poor for mating flights. 

Queen from virgin stage:  8-16 days to laying.  Longer if weather is poor.

Hope that helps!

damienpryan:
Found her...

She's started laying...

TheHoneyPump:
Congratulations! 

Michael Bush:
To answer the original question a queen has 21 days from when she emerges to get mated.  After that she will become a drone layer if she gets mated.

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