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Wandering if anyone has had experience with balled queens during a swarm transfer. This was a gigantic swarm -- we had only a 5-frame, screened bottom nuc box to collect it. The bees were pretty much crammed in there, spilling out. When we got home, we transferred the frames to an 8-frame deep. Once all frames were transferred out of the nuc, we noticed a ball at the bottom of the nuc. When we brushed the bees aside, the queen was on the bottom screen, and looked lifeless.
I thought I had read somewhere that sometimes queens can 'play dead' or go into shock, only to be 'revived' by their attendants. I also read on Beesource that balling can sometimes be an act of protection, rather than aggression. Any info would be appreciated, or advice to prevent in the future (like carrying various sized boxes to collect a swarm).
I thought I had read somewhere that sometimes queens can 'play dead' or go into shock, only to be 'revived' by their attendants. I also read on Beesource that balling can sometimes be an act of protection, rather than aggression. Any info would be appreciated, or advice to prevent in the future (like carrying various sized boxes to collect a swarm).