[khaas15]

My hive recently swarmed and I would like to re-queen. Before I do, should i go in and remove all the swarm cells? Or, if I introduce the queen will she take care of them herself?

Thanks much!

 

[brac]

If you don't remove them they will not accept her, they believe they are queen right since they are growing a new one. What type of queen are you gonna buy?

 

[khaas15]

I am going to buy a carniolian queen and introduce her next week. I have heard that queenless hives are very tempermental. My hive is still very gentle after the swarm, so this would make sence that they are "queen right".

I guess then you would recommend me going in and removing all the swarm cells, which would be on the bottom deep.

Thanks!

 

[brac]

Yes, remove them before adding the queen cage.

 

[fish_stix]

Don't remove the swarm cells! You'll be better off to let the bees raise their own queen and then, if you don't like her for some reason, buy a new queen, kill the old one and requeen. Many times the bees will kill a new, introduced queen even if you scrape the cells. Believe me, requeening is a fast way to lose money, $20.00 at a clip, in this business. A hive with a queen is easy to requeen; any other condition is an iffy bet!