Well I have seen it all now.  I had started a split and gave it a new
Buckfast queen.  The split had released the queen 2 days ago and looked
fine.  Today I checked on it and was shocked that the split had been killed
by large black and red carpenter ants or as we call them bull ants.
 
I went through the frames removing dead bees and ants, cursing to myself about
the loss of the queen.  As I finished I saw some movement on the ground.  Upon
investigation I discovered that it was the queen that I had been mourning.  I
picked her up and placed her in a queen cage that was in my pocket and placed
a cork in the candy end.  I took the queen home after finishing with cleaning
up the frames and giving the hive body to another hive as a super.
 
I made up new candy for the queen cage and reinstalled the queen in it.  I then
went to one of my strong hives and removed the upper brood chamber after
checking for the queen.  I then started another split with the battle hardened
queen.
 
I guess that she had a real survival instinct.  It will be exciting to see what
her off spring turn out like.  I will keep you posted on the results when she
released from her cage.
 
Yes, I found the nest of ants and they are now visiting their ancestors.
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                Carl Mueller
                West Palm Beach, Florida USA
                Email: [log in to unmask]
         I think therefore, I am politically incorrect!!
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