I introduced 2 Sat before last. I start mine in a weak 3 frame nuc populated with young bees. I use a push-in cage over emerging brood and a few cells of honey. After 4 or 5 days check for acceptance and release if everything looks OK. As she starts to lay I add more capped brood to build up to a 10 frame deep body. As she fills this up I add an excluder and a super so they have somewhere to put honey. This keeps them choking the brood chamber with honey.
I check it every week for supercedure cells. Some never have any and others have a cpl every week even though she is laying great. I have had some last into the 3rd year and others don't make it thru the first summer. Once I quit grafting in July I quit checking for cells and usually loose them.
Johnny
I check it every week for supercedure cells. Some never have any and others have a cpl every week even though she is laying great. I have had some last into the 3rd year and others don't make it thru the first summer. Once I quit grafting in July I quit checking for cells and usually loose them.
Johnny