Swarm off a nuc

Bill Hansen · Post by **Bill Hansen** » Fri Apr 23, 2010 8:27 am

I got a nuc last week. It evidently had swarm cells ready to go because I had a swarm yesterday. http://sufficient-for-our-need.blogspot ... label/bees We looked in the hive where we installed the nuc and saw no queen or evidence of a queen (no larvae or eggs), although the colony seems happy. Any advice?

Kurt Bower · Post by **Kurt Bower** » Fri Apr 23, 2010 7:47 pm

Bill:

While you did not observe any queen cups/cells in your nuc when you received it, it would take approx. 14 days from the point of laying an egg to throwing a swarm.
You observe no eggs, larvae or brood which indicates that something is really wrong.
I am assuming that the swarm you caught had a laying queen?
My guess is that the swarm wasnt yours. Your hive may have been queenless when you picked it up.
I would see if the provider will give you another queen.
And yes there are some other possibilities.

Kurt

Post by **Wally** » Fri Apr 23, 2010 8:25 pm

Kurt, he did see swarm cells when he picked it up. Also, he has capped brood now. It could be his swarm or a neighbor's swarm, 50-50 chance.

Bill, are the swarm cells open, gone, or still capped? If open, how many open on the side, and how many open on the bottom end?

Kurt Bower · Post by **Kurt Bower** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 5:16 am

Oh, well that makes it easy.
It probably is his swarm and he has a virgin queen.
If the bees are happy, then they must know something we do not.

Kurt

Bill Hansen · Post by **Bill Hansen** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 8:11 pm

Wally and Kurt,

Thanks. I don't want to pester either hive just yet. I did just sit and observe both hives and listened to the level of buzz. Both seem at peace. The foragers in the nuc hive are bringing in pollen. There is a fair amount of activity in the front of the swarm hive, but comparatively less. I expect that; they have a lot of comb to build. I think my plan is to wait perhaps until Wednesday or Thursday before I look again.