At 15:46 05/06/96 -0400, you wrote:
<snip>
>This is a problem with the list one day your question will raise lots of
>answers, the next, nothing! It feels like working in a vacuum.
> I believe your first mistake was using bees from a swarm to make the
>mini nucs. These bees are unsettled and looking for a home complete with
>queen, any port in a storm attitude. So the first virgin or queen out and
>it's off we go, especially if you get lots of bees fanning with their
>'Nasanov' glands. To give you an idea of how bees travel. Last year I made
>up 4 mini nucs, all from the same hive, gave each one a cell emerging at
>different times. The first one out got all the bees, the remaining cells
>were deserted, failed to emerge. Strangely enough that virgin failed to
>mate. Then customers of ours complain about the price of queens!!
> Secondly, to make mini nucs requires various ages of bees. Provided
>that original top super has brood, then there is a good chance of getting
>bees of all age groups.
> Finally, contrary to popular view, young virgin queens will feed
>themselves, we have watched them do it. It is only when the queen is mated
>that she seems to rely on her entourage for food.
Thanks a lot David at least I now know that the list is receiving my posts.
Its uncanny, I have now checked the mini nucs (three batches of four) and in
each case the bees are all in a single queen right nuc. The other boxes are
deserted except for the odd robber after the candy!
So your experience seems to be a common occurrence. I have another batch of
virgins emerging this weekend, I will ensure there is some food for them in
the cell holder, I have read a mixture pollen and honey will suffice, is
this correct.
I am using two types of minis, the polystyrene type and a modified super
box(a friend makes them), which comprises 5 super frames. We have designed
another(currently being put together) which divides the super into four and
uses half size super frames in each with a separate entrance. Anyone tried
this method?
Thanks for your help
- Ken Black
" ` Bay Tree Cottage
" ` 76 East St, Fritwell
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