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Author Topic: Capped Queen Cells, remove them?  (Read 2827 times)

Offline EasternShore

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Capped Queen Cells, remove them?
« on: August 11, 2008, 06:32:00 pm »
These were capped in the last few days(2) several other cups on this frame. Queen is very healthy with a good pattern. This hive is only 3 months old, 2 cutouts combined. 2 Deeps 60% of all frames filled in with brood and capped/uncapped honey.
Suggestions?
I'm not ready to start another hive/nuc as their success is doubtful...or is it?
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Offline asprince

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Re: Capped Queen Cells, remove them?
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2008, 07:49:59 pm »
Do not destroy the cells. Are the cells on the side of the fame or on the bottom?

Steve
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Offline rast

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Re: Capped Queen Cells, remove them?
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2008, 09:37:44 pm »
 As Steve said, "do not destroy the cells". You may wind up queenless. If they have decided to swarm they will, unless you do something to make them think they have. They also know more than we do about what condition the queen is in.
 You need someone more experianced than me with northern bee raising to answer the nuc question.
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Offline ArmucheeBee

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Re: Capped Queen Cells, remove them?
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2008, 10:23:41 pm »
asprince, explain the significance of the side or bottom for queen cells please.  Thanks.
Stephen Stewart
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Offline asprince

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Re: Capped Queen Cells, remove them?
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2008, 10:40:09 pm »
Generally, cells on the side of the frame are supersedure cells, meaning the hive is planning on replacing their queen for some reason. This is very common with new packages. Again, generally the cells on the bottom are swarm cells. It is very late in the season for swarm cells, but possible. If they are supercedure cells, let them replace her. If they are swam cells, I would split and possibly combine later if needed.

Others with far more experience may have other suggestions.

Steve       
Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resembalance to the first. - Ronald Reagan

Offline EasternShore

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Re: Capped Queen Cells, remove them?
« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2008, 07:44:44 am »
They were in the middle...on a peice of random comb from a cut out.
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Offline bassman1977

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Re: Capped Queen Cells, remove them?
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2008, 09:44:51 am »
Sounds like superceding.  Queen might have gotten damaged during the cutout.
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Offline Ross

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Re: Capped Queen Cells, remove them?
« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2008, 10:32:49 am »
Just take the queen and a couple of frames of bees and honey and put her in a nuc.  Let the hive raise a new queen from the cells.  If the hive fails to make a good queen, you can recombine.  Otherwise, you now have a new nuc.
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Offline EasternShore

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Re: Capped Queen Cells, remove them?
« Reply #8 on: August 12, 2008, 08:11:38 pm »
Thanks folks,is it alittle late to start a nuke here in Eastern Maryland ?
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
We are the keepers, it is our duty to preserve life.

Offline contactme_11

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Re: Capped Queen Cells, remove them?
« Reply #9 on: August 12, 2008, 08:23:12 pm »
Thanks folks,is it alittle late to start a nuke here in Eastern Maryland ?

No, you still have time

Offline EasternShore

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Re: Capped Queen Cells, remove them?
« Reply #10 on: August 13, 2008, 08:30:36 pm »
Wish me luck...this will make my 3rd hive.....Feel like I'm playing God here.

Did a close inspection...not nearly enuf honey for winter....will try the solid sugar board method and hope for the best.

It's been SOOOO dry here...even my dog is panting at the door.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
We are the keepers, it is our duty to preserve life.