I have read a lot regarding whether it would be best to directly release the queen or gradually introduce her in the queen introduction cage.
It appears to me the biggest cause for concern about slow release in the kTBH is the possibility of crooked comb. What if I were to simply remove the bars that have crooked comb and replace them with new bars?
I directly released the queens recently with my packages of bees. The bees absconded from the first hive. The second hive had troubles with a high number of bees dying. My mentor helped me build the hive up with some brood comb and honey stores from a nuc she was starting.
Had to do a chop and cut my very first week of beekeeping! Glad I know how to do it but wish I did not have to. The queen was not present when we inspected. I luckily got a new queen and placed her in the hive in her cage within 24 hrs. She was released yesterday. I will check on Saturday to see if she is still present and how they are doing.
Why did they abscond? possibilities I have come up with are:
1. Should not have directly released the queen.
2. They did not like the brand spanking new hive.
3. Peeked at them too often.
4. Disturbed them on the second day by opening the feeding side of the hive to place the pollen pattie that I had forgotten to put in?
5. They just wanted to be free.
6. Should not have direct released the queen!
7. Inexperienced beekeeper.
I am getting a new package of bees next week and I hope to have better luck this time. I will slowly release the queen this time by dangling her cage with wire from the bar. I think it must be called a queen introduction cage for a reason!
I wonder if perhaps the direct release method is more successful when the hive is one that has had previous use or if you are simply just requeening?
Any thoughts?
It appears to me the biggest cause for concern about slow release in the kTBH is the possibility of crooked comb. What if I were to simply remove the bars that have crooked comb and replace them with new bars?
I directly released the queens recently with my packages of bees. The bees absconded from the first hive. The second hive had troubles with a high number of bees dying. My mentor helped me build the hive up with some brood comb and honey stores from a nuc she was starting.
Had to do a chop and cut my very first week of beekeeping! Glad I know how to do it but wish I did not have to. The queen was not present when we inspected. I luckily got a new queen and placed her in the hive in her cage within 24 hrs. She was released yesterday. I will check on Saturday to see if she is still present and how they are doing.
Why did they abscond? possibilities I have come up with are:
1. Should not have directly released the queen.
2. They did not like the brand spanking new hive.
3. Peeked at them too often.
4. Disturbed them on the second day by opening the feeding side of the hive to place the pollen pattie that I had forgotten to put in?
5. They just wanted to be free.
6. Should not have direct released the queen!
7. Inexperienced beekeeper.
I am getting a new package of bees next week and I hope to have better luck this time. I will slowly release the queen this time by dangling her cage with wire from the bar. I think it must be called a queen introduction cage for a reason!
I wonder if perhaps the direct release method is more successful when the hive is one that has had previous use or if you are simply just requeening?
Any thoughts?