[Dale_3rd]

Here are some pictures of the hive that I posted about seeming like they were superseding or swarming. I pulled the old queen out and a few frames of eggs/brood and made a new hive; I left this hive to fend for themselves. The cell at the bottom of the frame was open last week with a larva in it and the cell at the top of the frame I think was only a cup but I can't recall totally. Anyway, seems I'll have a new queen shortly from the bottom cell.

Bottom of the frame:



Top of the frame:



Frame tilted with larva:

 

[RayMarler]

The cell at the top is not just a cup anymore. It is a queen cell that will soon be capped. A cup is just the very base (top) of the cell, a cup, without being drawn out (down) any. Yes, you'll have a queen in there soon.

 

[Mr.Beeman]

Superceeding yes, swarming, no. That hive is not strong enough in numbers to swarm yet.
Tell me. Why did you split the hive in the first place? Looks like a new colony this spring.

 

[Dale_3rd]

Basically, because I didn't know what I was doing. LOL This colony seemed to be building up quick and had built out the second deep and I saw the cells when they were queen cups and since a few were at the bottom of the frames, I thought they might swarm.

I have no mentor close by, so It's pretty much "on the job training" for me.

-Dale

 

[dynemd]

I'll bet things work out regardless in both hives. Possibly averted a swarm, but maybe superseding.

 

[Mr.Beeman]

You have all the mentors you need here and just a simple click away.
BTW, when 70 - 80% of your frames in your hive look like this, it's time to split or add room.



Good luck.