Queen Spotting & ReQueening with Bruce White

illawarra beekeepers Field Day 25 08 2019

The 2019 August field day at illawarra beekeepers was a great day with a very strong turnout of club members and guests. Bruce White demonstrated various methods of Queen Spotting & ReQueening. The weather was (almost) perfect and Bruce presented well rounded and informative session on spotting queens. We also learned a few different methods for finding the queen. Plus lots of little tips along the way, helpful to any beekeeper.

See the video below and note the chapter topics indexed in the list.

00:00:10 Theory Pre Field Demo
00:14:49 Field Day Demo: Bees at Entrance
00:16:07 Lighting the Bee Smoker
00:17:31 Smoking the entrance of the Beehive
00:19:45 Shifting the Hivre to reduce Bee Numbers
00:24:42 Correct use of the Hive Tool
00:25:03 Check the Excluder for the Queen
00:29:18 Observing the Brood Pattern for Drone Cells
00:31:03 Working through Brood Frames to find the Queen
00:33:16 Shaking Bees out from Brood Box to find the Queen
00:34:58 Using a Queen Excluder UNDERNEATH the Brood Box to Isolate & Find the Queen
00:38:29 Chasing Bees up from the Bottom Box with Smoker
00:40:12 Avoid using too much smoke to avoid bees racing around
00:41:30 Queen Found
00:47:55 Beehive Location & Bee Re-orientation
00:51:48 Releasing Queen from Her Cage
01:01:49 A close up look at the marked Queen

Understanding Swarm Management and Queen Bee Behavior in Beekeeping

In the intricate world of beekeeping, managing swarms and understanding queen behavior is critical for maintaining a healthy hive. Over the past few months, I’ve gained insights into the lifecycle of queens and the dynamics within the hive that every beekeeper should be aware of to prevent swarming and ensure productivity.

The Queen’s Lifecycle and Hive Dynamics

A queen bee typically lays eggs for about three to four months before a new queen emerges. This process starts with the current queen laying eggs, which hatch into larvae. Over time, the mother queen may disappear, resulting in queen succession through natural hive processes. If you observe about a dozen queen cells within your hive, it’s crucial to take immediate action. The first queen to emerge will often eliminate the others before they have a chance to hatch, establishing her dominance; this is what we refer to as a “prime swarm.”

Swarming: Causes and Control

Swarming is a natural phenomenon, often caused when a hive becomes overly strong or populous. If left uncontrolled, the hive may split as the new virgin queen takes off with a portion of the worker bees, creating an “after swarm.” It’s essential to manage your hive’s size and populace to prevent this. If you see multiple queen cells being constructed, it indicates the hive is preparing to swarm. Without intervention, you may lose a significant number of bees as they leave with the swarm.

Handling Aggressive Bees

Occasionally, beekeepers encounter aggressive behavior from their bees. Understanding whether a queen is present can help determine the cause of aggression. If the queen is present but the hive is in the process of replacing her, it’s best to avoid disturbing them unnecessarily. If aggression arises from pesticides or other environmental stressors, addressing these issues is vital for maintaining a healthy hive.

The Importance of Hive Inspection

Regular inspections are vital for assessing the health and productivity of your hive. During these inspections, you must pay close attention to the amount of brood present, as well as honey and pollen stores. Healthy hives typically display a balance of all three components. If a queen is failing (often indicated by a rise in drone population or irregular brood patterns), it could be time to replace her.

When inspecting, remember to consider the smoke as a part of your routine. Smoking helps calm the bees, allowing for a more efficient and safe inspection.

Managing Hive Health

For successful hive management, it’s essential to understand when to intervene. For instance, if you notice signs of a dwindling queen or excessive drone production, taking action by either replacing the queen or adjusting the hive’s configuration can be beneficial. Moreover, in managing the hive’s population, consider the timing of inspections, especially during peak foraging times when bees may be more defensive.

Conclusion

Managing the complexities of a bee colony, from swarm control to understanding queen behavior, is an essential part of becoming a successful beekeeper. Continuous learning and adapting your practices based on hive conditions can foster a productive and healthy bee population. Future success lies in vigilance, timely action, and maintaining open lines of consultation with fellow beekeepers.

If you have any questions or need further insights into bee management, don’t hesitate to reach out! Happy beekeeping!