Swarm questions

I have a quick question or two. Long winded, but quick questions.

My main large hive just swarmed Thursday during lunch time.
Luckily I was home to watch, and to recapture it.

No problem with this new hive at all. Yet. Seems to be moving along very well.

My question for you is:

The mother hive that just swarmed...

1) Should I dig around and locate a "few possible queen cells" and make/split 2 NUC's from them?

Or

2) Should I just leave it alone and give this mother hive a chance to recoup and let nature take its course?
this should allow a virgin queen to emerge from one of the cells I believe were left (should have been anyway) prior to swarming.

I am asking you this question because;

1) The weather has been raining everyday and I have not had the opportunity to open the mother hive as of yet.

2) If I dig around in the hive I may possibly injure or cause damage to the queen cells.(Murphy's Law is not kind too me)

3) I am under the assumption (meaning I'm just guessing here) the Mother hive has made a few sealed queen cells just prior to swarming.
So, this tells me "IF" the queen cells were sealed over on swarming day, this would be day number 9 (sealed) and the queens will emerge in 7 more days from Thursday.
As of today Tuesday, Thus giving me 2 days to act fast or wait until June to make a few Queens for NUC's.

What has your experience been with swarms sealing the queen cells over just prior to swarming?
Am I off base or close to target with my thinking?

I just want to get a solid grasp on this to be prepared for the next time this happens.

This weather has just been awful lately cannot get anything done.

Thanks for your time.

Regards,

Bill Latham

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>1) Should I dig around and locate a "few possible queen cells" and make/split 2 NUC's from them?

Do you need some queens? Is the hive strong enough to make two strong splits (like the equivelant of a ten frame deep full of bees, brood and stores for each split)?

>2) Should I just leave it alone and give this mother hive a chance to recoup and let nature take its course?
this should allow a virgin queen to emerge from one of the cells I believe were left (should have been anyway) prior to swarming.

Possibly. Especially if it isn't that strong.

>2) If I dig around in the hive I may possibly injure or cause damage to the queen cells.(Murphy's Law is not kind too me)

Easy to do. Queen cells, especially just capped, can be very fragile.

>3) I am under the assumption (meaning I'm just guessing here) the Mother hive has made a few sealed queen cells just prior to swarming.

Probably.

>So, this tells me "IF" the queen cells were sealed over on swarming day, this would be day number 9 (sealed) and the queens will emerge in 7 more days from Thursday.
As of today Tuesday, Thus giving me 2 days to act fast or wait until June to make a few Queens for NUC's.

I wouldn't count on the bees having a calander. But that's a good guess.

>What has your experience been with swarms sealing the queen cells over just prior to swarming?

Pretty much if they are sealed I assume they already swarmed.

>Am I off base or close to target with my thinking?

No, just don't count on bees doing what you think.

>I just want to get a solid grasp on this to be prepared for the next time this happens.

If you manage them right it shouldn't happen... of course now and then it will anyway.

_________________
Michael Bush
www.bushfarms.com/bees.htm
"Everything works if you let it"

Thank you Michael for your input and advice.

I respect your knowledge, skills, and talent.

Regards,

Bill

_________________
http://www.performingrollers.org/

http://npraforum.proboards.com/index.cgi

In our area the spring build up has been incredible. We've had the best bee weather possible. Every hive I have would have swarmed if I had not taken early steps this year.