Cell builder ?

[woodyard]

What is the least amount of time needed for a nuc hive cell starter/builder to be queenless before inserting the grafts? I had to make one quickly and get grafts in between thunder strorms. We have been getting whacked with thunderstorms and rain.

[Michael Bush]

Over night is always my goal. Between 12 and 24 hours, but I like those 12 hours to be over night.

[Oldtimer]

Assuming you are using a standard broodless type set up? If so, 2 hours is plenty. Less can work at a pinch but not as good.

[woodyard]

It was probaably close to an hour. I quess this is another experiment and I will see if they take. Thanks.

[Oldtimer]

Let's know how it goes, if your graft was good you'll likely be fine.

[AstroBee]

I inserted my Jenter plugs into my cell builder that was queenless for only about an hour. The majority took and produced nice queens.

[Michael Bush]

If you mean a "starter box" or "swarm box", then I agree with 2 hours. If you mean a hive that will be used to start cells, I like overnight.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesqueenre...tm#starterhive
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesbetterq...starter%20hive
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesqueenre...tm#TheSwarmBox
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesalleyme...m_swarming_box

[jim lyon]

Actually if you are using a Cloake board we have found that immediately before installing is sufficient. Perhaps if you are trying to get cells real early in the season you might gain a bit of an advantage with the longer time frame but once there are ample drones grafts are quite readily accepted as long as there is no Queen pheromone present.