Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: JP on May 30, 2005, 09:38:52 pm
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If any of you have viewed my latest posts, I have an update. The right hive looks ok, the left hive, is bunched up on the screen bottom board, there are only approx a dozen or so bees on the underside of the screen bottom board on the left, only about 3-4 on the right. Because there is such a large cluster, (I'm guessing 200 bees?) I am concerned that the queen cage may have fallen to the bottom again, but I'm not sure. Keep in mind I checked & opened each hive body yesterday. What should I do if anything?
please answer asap. thnx
JP.
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There's only about 200 bees in that hive? I can't remember if you've said, but did you add any brood to that hive? That is really small.
I don't know why they're all on the bottom. But I would (if I were you) get in that hive and see what's up. I'd also add some brood if at all possible. I just can't see how that few bees can make it. You need some younger ones I'd think too - nurse bees to care for the eggs you hope for the queen to be laying.
I honestly don't know enough about beekeeping to give you an exact answer.
Beth
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No, I'm sorry I wasn't clear.
There are normal numbers inside of both hive bodies.
inside the hive body on the left, on the floor of the bottom board, there is a cluster of about 200 bees or so the rest are moving around, etc...
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I agree with Beth, take a look. If the queen cage is in place, which you should be able to tell right away, just leave them. If it's not where you left it, then you're probably right - it's fallen and it can't get up. :wink:
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Gottcha! :)
They probably are around the queen.
Beth
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is it too late to open the cover to see if queen cage has dropped to the bottom board? it's 10:40 pm here.
if she is at the bottom and in her cage, if they release her down there, is it a big problem?
earlier yesterday, when I checked, the candy was almost gone.
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Yes, they can release her, assuming the cage didn't fall directly on the candy plug. But either way, she's fine until morning. Don't worry. :D
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thnx for the reply
good nite
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checked the hive body on the left, the queen cage was on the bottom board & the queen was released, so I retreived her cage. thought I'd wait a little longer 'til the next inspection, to see if they're producing comb, the girls were gentle as usual.
hive #2 looks like it's doing well, didn't open it to investigate, they are drinking the sugar water up. I will open both to check for comb in about a week.
JP
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Good deal JP! Happy to hear it!
:D
sherry