Took a Chance

[peletier]

One of my TBHs swarmed about a week ago. Caught the swarm, hived it in another TBH. The queen cell in the old hive hatched a few days ago. I haven't looked for her so I don't know her status. On a whim, I took a comb with eggs from another hive and dropped it into this hive, curious to see if they would build a queen cell while waiting for their virgin to mate. THEY DID. I know I'm cutting it close but I'll give them time to cap it and then pull it out. Hope the new queen cooperates.

[JBJ]

I would question whether or not they have a virgin if they raised a cell. Perhaps she was lost on a mating flight? A unit with a viable virgin is usually reluctant to rear cells. Did the unit have hatched cells after the swarm?

[peletier]

JBJ, it appears you are correct. Did a thorough search today and could not locate the new queen.(There was a sealed cell when they swarmed...it hatched in the next day or two) They have also started 2 more queen cells. That about clinches it. I left the cells in the hive.