View Full Version : do i remove queen cell?
pokerman11
05-27-2009, 07:09 PM
new 3# package installed - 15 days ago. I found the queen and she has just started laying a few days ago. Have about 4 of the frames drawn out.
In the cells I see one quen cell.
Should I remove this one queen cell or not worry about one cell?
RayMarler
05-27-2009, 07:29 PM
Is it a queen cell with royal jelly in bottom and a larva? Or is it just an empty queen cell cup? Queen cell cups are normal in a balanced hive.
new 3# package installed - 15 days ago. I found the queen and she has just started laying a few days ago. Have about 4 of the frames drawn out.
In the cells I see one quen cell.
Should I remove this one queen cell or not worry about one cell?
Depends on where the cell is.
If it on the bottom thats generally speaking a swarm cell.
If its in the middle/upper portion of the frame its a supercedure cell. They build supercedure cells for good reason, there's likely an issue with the queen.
What sort of job is she doing laying?
Personally, I would leave it be and let them do their thing.....they know what they are doing. Don't bother them more than you need to and they will work it out, just make sure they have enough room so they don't kick into swarm mode.
Shipping is extremely hard on bees.
Michael Bush
05-27-2009, 09:12 PM
>Should I remove this one queen cell or not worry about one cell?
If it has a larvae in it, I would call it a queen cell. If not, I'd just call it a queen cup. Assuming a queen cup, it means nothing. Assuming a queen cell, it probably means they are superseding the queen. I would let them. I think it's ALWAYS a bad idea to remove queen cells without a VERY clear and VERY good reason.