capped queen cell in the starter hive

[Janice Lane]

Will the bees make queen cells from grafts if they already have a capped queen cell in the starter hive? (I know I would have to remove the queen cell before she hatches, but I have had bad luck moving queen cells too early)

[peggjam]

Yes they will be less likey to start queen cells with a capped one in the starter hive.

[Michael Bush]

And if one of the capped ones emerge first they will destroy all of the cells. But I often have both capped and uncapped cells in a starter/finisher.

[peggjam]

Good point MB. I forgot about that aspect of having a capped queen cell in the starter. I check all frames for rogue cells before I place grafts in a starter. I don't care if they have them, as long as their not older than the ones I want started.

[WG Bee Farm]

Capped cells in the starter reduce the amount of accepted cells and there is the threat of one of them opening early and destroying the current cells.