About ten days ago I had two colonies that were boiling over with bees already. I have had a real good pollen flow and they filled everything up with pollen, brood or nectar. Monday I went to add boxes to these colonies. I was hoping that it would not be to late and swarm prepping had not happened. I was also under the assumption that it was to early for them to even think about (northern Wisconsin). When I checked the first I did not find anything alarming and added a box. The second, when I tipped up the top box I counted almost thirty queen cups built since my last inspection a week ago. I found a few drones and quit a bit of drone brood. I also found quite a bit of drone brood in the other one too I guess. I also found queen cups built in scattered locations on sides of frames. I know there was well in excess of thirty queen cups built in a weeks time. I did not find jelly or eggs in the few I poked around in.
So My question is, do you think they are going to swarm? Will they build this many queen cups in such a short time for nothing?
I plan to try and look at them Mondays and Thursdays if I can. If I see larva in them I plan on making up nucs and hoping for good mating weather.
Oh, I added a box and put empty drawn comb in position 3,5, and 7 in all three boxes. Hopefully this will change their mind for now.
So My question is, do you think they are going to swarm? Will they build this many queen cups in such a short time for nothing?
I plan to try and look at them Mondays and Thursdays if I can. If I see larva in them I plan on making up nucs and hoping for good mating weather.
Oh, I added a box and put empty drawn comb in position 3,5, and 7 in all three boxes. Hopefully this will change their mind for now.