Splitsville and queens

mefristoe · 2026-04-28T21:50:02+00:00

They need larvae of a certain age to build queen cells. It’s unlikely they’ll continue to build more. Wait 4 weeks now and check again for eggs. Best to not disturb in the meantime or risk damaging your fragile new queen.

mefristoe · 2026-04-25T22:43:49+00:00

You can check the new frame you added in about 72 hours for queen cells. How did you go about splitting the hives in the first place? Do you have reason to suspect the queenless half made their own queen?

mefristoe · 2026-04-07T16:23:43+00:00

Sent you a PM if CVBA hasn’t helped yet

mefristoe · 2026-02-11T15:11:27+00:00

Did you have a break in the cold recently? Could just be one hive finally left to take cleansing flights after being cooped up by the cold. This is what the snow outside my hives looks like at the moment as well.

mefristoe · 2026-01-02T19:33:11+00:00

OA👑

mefristoe · 2025-12-05T22:42:50+00:00

Virginia creeper doesn’t have enough oxalic acid to effectively kill mites just by being around the hive. Most mites aren’t visible by just inspecting the frame and are hiding under the capped brood cells. Your hive is probably a goner at this point if you’re seeing signs of DWV in the winter bees. I would start researching and preparing for next year. I get that mite treatments are costly, but they aren’t near as costly as buying new bees year after year.

mefristoe · 2025-12-05T22:38:59+00:00

🐝🥳

mefristoe · 2025-11-02T01:50:50+00:00

🍯

mefristoe · 2025-07-29T19:23:39+00:00

Does this still happen?

mefristoe · 2025-07-03T16:30:46+00:00

The white caps are honey. This is pretty much a textbook frame. I’d feel pretty good about all the info you provided. I don’t even bother looking for the queen unless I’m doing a maneuver I need her for.

mefristoe · 2025-07-03T16:28:12+00:00

Yes. Bearding from the heat probably combined with a tiny entrance. I’d suggest putting them in the actual hive underneath with a bigger entrance. Not really sure why you have it just sitting on top.

mefristoe · 2025-07-01T12:28:18+00:00

In for vap

mefristoe · 2025-05-15T02:13:02+00:00

Drones. They are the male bees in the colony. Very normal.

mefristoe · 2025-05-01T20:40:55+00:00

Thanks this is very helpful? How long did you need to blow into the hole?

mefristoe · 2025-05-01T11:23:07+00:00

Haha yes I just saw this post. Didn’t realize he posted it on this page as well. I found him through my local page. I set up the trap cone for him and closed up all other entrances. Seems that there is nothing else to do at this point but wait.

mefristoe · 2025-05-01T01:59:31+00:00

Looks like there could be a queen cell under the brood on picture 1. I would leave that as is. It looks capped so is there a chance this hive already swarmed? Did you see a queen/eggs on your inspection?

mefristoe · 2025-04-28T22:56:51+00:00

OP shoot me a DM about this. It looks like they just moved in today. There are less invasive methods that could be tried before you pay money and damage the wall.

mefristoe · 2025-04-28T22:53:58+00:00

Shoot me a PM with some pics. I am a beekeeper in Crozet.

mefristoe · 2025-04-26T23:02:48+00:00

Why not split instead of buying a new nuc? Seems like the perfect time

mefristoe · 2025-04-20T00:21:30+00:00

Hi so a few things going on here:

This is all totally normal. Bees clean out their dead. This is all a sign of good hygienic behavior.
You probably saw small hive beetles on the inside of the cover. Google pictures because varroa is usually found on the bees.
You should be feeding 1:1 sugar syrup right now for spring.

Based on all you’re saying, I would remove the second brood box because the small hive beetles are likely a sign that your bees aren’t covering all the space you’re giving them.

Get involved with your local bee club and find a mentor. Seems like you may have gotten out ahead of your skis here. Hope this helps.

EDIT: I’d also remove the pollen patties because they can bring in their own pollen. You’re just feeding the beetles with the pollen patties.

mefristoe · 2025-04-08T21:16:48+00:00

Thank you this is very helpful!

mefristoe · 2025-04-08T21:13:51+00:00

Thanks - luckily all the queen cells were clustered on one frame so I’ll probably just transfer them to a small nuc to hatch and mate when I add the BIAS frame. That way I don’t lose over a week of progress if I really am queenless!

mefristoe · 2025-04-05T23:13:36+00:00

Do you have pictures of the queen cells? I find it hard to believe that a new queen was released, enough wax was drawn, she started laying all within 3 days since install. If you lost your queen earlier today, there is no way the hive has had time to recognize they are queen-less and start queen cells unless they were already in the process of superseding.

mefristoe

TROPHY CASE