Author Topic: Signs of queenless hive  (Read 2271 times)

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Offline vvand111

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Signs of queenless hive
« on: April 04, 2017, 08:04:15 pm »
What r the signs of a queenless hive??

Offline vvand111

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Re: Signs of queenless hive
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2017, 08:09:12 pm »
I mean from the outside of the hive

Offline Perry

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Re: Signs of queenless hive
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2017, 08:12:59 pm »
If bees are without a queen they are not as inclined to bring in pollen.
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Offline neillsayers

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Re: Signs of queenless hive
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2017, 10:22:39 pm »
They also have a kind of groaning hum. Hard to describe but I've heard it twice and it is totally different.
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Offline riverbee

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Re: Signs of queenless hive
« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2017, 02:11:54 pm »
from the outside?

lack of bustling activity in and out the front door. not sure how to describe this.  i have had queenless hives still forage when queenless, but if they have been queenless for an extended period of time, population drops. also, there is a different sound of a qeenless hive and also the hive's disposition changes. sometimes hives may appear queenless, for example some queens will shut down laying if no nectar/pollen (dearth) are not coming in and will resume when a nectar/pollen source becomes available.

i wouldn't rely on what we see at the front door, if you suspect a hive is queenless, get in there and find out what's going on. the minute you lift the lid, the bees will probably have something to say to you...... :D
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Offline Mikey N.C.

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Re: Signs of queenless hive
« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2017, 09:03:50 pm »
Ditto, put your ear to box you'll hear .
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Offline vvand111

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Re: Signs of queenless hive
« Reply #6 on: April 08, 2017, 11:53:33 am »
Well it is midday here. We are already around 70 degrees.

I went out to observe the hives a bit ago.

I listened, no deep roaring sound, activity is bustling at every entrance, and at least 1/2 of the bees returning to all of the hives are bringing in pollen.

Tomorrow is my day to go into 5 of these hives for inspection. I was anticipating 2 of these to possibly be queen less.  Maybe not, fingers crossed. 

Offline Mikey N.C.

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Re: Signs of queenless hive
« Reply #7 on: April 08, 2017, 04:32:16 pm »
If the pollen is coming in sounds good,  but i'm a new bee so (twgos) as ted said take with grain of salt. :laugh:  Your weather's good now for bees an flow right ?

Offline riverbee

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Re: Signs of queenless hive
« Reply #8 on: April 09, 2017, 12:53:15 am »
"I was anticipating 2 of these to possibly be queen less."

why are you thinking this vv?
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Offline vvand111

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Re: Signs of queenless hive
« Reply #9 on: April 09, 2017, 10:12:17 am »
River, The two I have been concerned about are swarm catches and I am not sure the queens were caught. I have waited about 16 days to determine if they r queen right.  I will find out today and if not I will be doing some combining more than likely. 

Offline riverbee

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Re: Signs of queenless hive
« Reply #10 on: April 09, 2017, 09:52:12 pm »
okay thanks vandy, let us know. ;)

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Offline vvand111

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Re: Signs of queenless hive
« Reply #11 on: April 10, 2017, 07:23:20 pm »
well well well.  I am guessing this should be under the swarm thread so I am going there to post a most interesting experience  It will take me a bit to post as it is more than most want to read