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Author Topic: when to check for a Queen  (Read 1358 times)

Offline BobMac

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when to check for a Queen
« on: June 03, 2017, 11:20:29 am »
I did a cutout Tuesday,don't know if I got the Queen or not.
When should I go into the hive and check to see?? Was thinking
Sunday which is 5 days,they seems happy in there new hive but
being only my second year I've never experienced a Queen-less
 hive to compare. Any help appreciated .

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Offline cao

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Re: when to check for a Queen
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2017, 01:51:15 pm »
I've never done a cutout but when I make splits, I wait a week.  By then they should have capped queen cells(if there is no queen).  If queen is in there, they should have young larva that are old enough to easily be seen.

Offline brookscj

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Re: when to check for a Queen
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2017, 04:00:16 pm »
I've never done a cutout but when I make splits, I wait a week.  By then they should have capped queen cells(if there is no queen).  If queen is in there, they should have young larva that are old enough to easily be seen.

I have done cutouts and I agree with the one week timeline.  You should be able to spot young larva or eggs if there's a queen in there and they should have had time to secure the comb in the frames.  Just be careful handling the frames in case the comb is still loose.  Try to keep the frames perpendicular to the ground at all times so that the newly secured comb has the strength of the frame supporting it.  If you tilt the frame horizontally you risk the comb falling out if it is loosely secured. 
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