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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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Subject:
From:
Jim Moore DTN276-9448 ogo1/e17 508-496-9448 <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Discussion of Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 6 May 1996 10:50:38 EDT
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        Eariler I asked for advice about re-inspecting a queen cage
that had alot of wax on it.  I had forgotten to check the queens
condition before installing.  I couldn't stand not knowing so the
next day I opened the hive and took out the queen cage and scraped
off the wax.  I go a glimpse of the queen, she seemed okay, and
quickly put everything back and close the hive.
 
        Both hives are equally active.  I've been watching them
closely and they are collecting pollen.  I intend to retrieve the
queen cages and do a quick inspection in the next day or two
depending on the weather so I can't comment yet on wether the queens
have both been accepted.
 
        What I have noticed about the waxed-queen hive (hive 2) is
that there are more drones coming and going.  Hive 1 might have 2 or
3 dones maximum at the entrance while hive 2 has had 8 or 9.  This is
around 1 PM on a sunny day with the temperature in the high 60's.
The approximate numbers of bees at the entrance in each case was
30-35.
 
        A long setup for my question. Could a high proportion of
drones in a package contribute to the behaviour of waxing the queen
cage? Also, would excessive drones in a package contribute to queen
rejection? Lastly, how many drones is too many in a 3 lb. package and
how dies one tell?
 
        I'll post the results of my inspection for those who are
curious.
 
        Thank you to those who provided advice.
 
 
                Jim Moore

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