I'd heard that a newly hatched queen will pipe and any other queens still in their cell will answer. She then proceeds to kill the other queens. She may have just been testing to make sure she was the only queen. Kinda neat you heard her. I like to listen to the hive. sounds like a purr almost. would make a great "go to sleep" sound if my wife wouldnt complain that it makes her feel like she has bugs crawling on her!! LOL
Piping Queen
Hey yall, Im in my second year so I may ask stupid questions from time to time. Excuse me for that. Anyway, I went into winter with 2 hives, wound up with one. That ones booming. Purchased a package, installed it on drawn comb last wed. Checked yesterday to see if they had released the queen, they had not. I removed the cork end and released her myself. All the group of bees on the tops of the frame went right to her, accepted her, she went down on the frame, I wanted to make sure she was still on the frame with all the bees flying so I peeked, and saw her, but I also heard her piping Im sure, sounded something like a mouse squeaking. First, that was her right? Second, Is it a natural function and nothing to worry about. It seems I have read about it when queens are hatching I dont know. The cluster was a frame over so perhaps she was calling them. Thanks.:scratch:
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Yeah, I thought it was kind of cool. Just wasnt sure the deal. First time I had heard it. Yeah, I had to keep my package on the mantle overnight because of a freeze, before I could install it, my wife freaked.........lol.......Thanks for the reply. G
I had a similar experience. I did an even split on a strong hive Friday night. I went back Saturday and added a mated queen to the (now) queenless half of the split. I was using a push in cage,and when I laid the frame on top of the hive to see what the bees would do, I heard her piping as the bees came to her. It sounded like she had a tiny Toyota in there and was locking and unlocking the doors.
It was interesting the way the bees responded. Some were aggressive, others came right over and started feeding her through the cage and still others immediately started fanning.
I was wondering why she would be piping, Santa Caras explanation makes sense. Thanks!
It was interesting the way the bees responded. Some were aggressive, others came right over and started feeding her through the cage and still others immediately started fanning.
I was wondering why she would be piping, Santa Caras explanation makes sense. Thanks!
I picked up 5 queens last year. I couldn't do my splits for a couple days so I just had them sitting there in their cage. One would start piping and the others would join in. It was really cool. Only time I've ever heard piping.
I remember one of my first exposures to the queen piping, she was on a frame I had pulled out and was inspecting. She started piping, and instantly every bee on the entire side of the frame froze in their tracks. When she stopped, they all picked up right where they left off and went back to whatever they were doing. This happened several times as I watched them. Pretty cool.
I am curious as to why you wouldn't split it.I went into winter with 2 hives, wound up with one. That ones booming.
I once put a ripe cell in an observation hive, didn`t see her emerge but I heard her piping through the glass, also was able to see her walking around with a mating sign.........Pete N3SKI
I am planning on splitting it Acebird. I have a bred queen shipping May 5. It will be my first split. I wanted to go into winter with more hives this year so, I filled woodenware on hand with a package until I can do the split. I figured a early april package should have a good head start. GI am curious as to why you wouldn't split it.
Your going to need more wooden ware when you split and even for the package.I filled woodenware on hand with a package until I can do the split.
Yeah, I have some set aside and painted, with more on the way. I have 2 deeps full, with a super, queen laying solid in both deeps, should I just split the hive 50-50 and put medium supers on both or should I start a nuc with the new queen?Your going to need more wooden ware when you split and even for the package.
Boy there are so many ways to do splits I think you should research it so you get the desired outcome that you want. There are many threads on splits here on Beesource that you can search and then there is Michael Bush's site that describes several ways to do it.
Thanks Ace. I have looked and am figuring for growing the hive count and setting aside the desire for honey, an even split may be the way to go. I still have a little time to decide. thanks for the input. G
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