Question about swarms

[mike91553]

In a large primary swarm would they ever have one or more virgin queens along with the old queen? If so how would be the best way to find out?

My most aggressive and maybe strongest hive swarmed today and I would like to take out the old queen and combine them with a split made over a week ago that now has a new laying queen. I would use the newspaper and set the swarm on top the new split or maybe set a double screen on top the split and put them on that with their own entrance for a few days.

Is their other or better ways to do this?

[Jacobs]

I'm not clear on what you are trying to accomplish. Are you trying to make sure your swarm is queenless before combining? If so, there are a number of options ranging from very conservative to quick and dirty. I have not seen or heard of primary swarms GENERALLY having virgin queens along with the old queen. Usually multiple virgins come out with secondary or later swarms if they are coming out with multiples. Please keep in mind that I have been slack in reading The Hive and the Honey Bee to my bees this year so they may sometimes do the unconventional.

[mike91553]

Thanks Jacob, that was my thoughts but I wasn't sure. My goal is to do away with the swarm queen from the aggressive hive and combine these bees with a new split from a hive with a better disposition. I will wait a few days before searching her out to do this.