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How to Deal with Swarm Cells.
by Shar Weeks
(VA)
This is a Queen Cell
| After just three weeks into the new hive I found a swarm cell... they said to destroy it so I did.. Why was this happening? The swarm cell was a surprise when we inspected. We have about 4-5 frames with mostly brood, pollen and honey that is capped.. Shar |
Hi Shar
What made you think this was a swarm cell? Was it at the middle of the frame or the bottom? Swarm cells are usually at the bottom of the frame. If you saw a cell in the middle of the frame it might have been a supercedure cell. You don't say where the colony came from. If you collected a swarm, the queen could be quite old. It's quite usual for a colony to replace the queen a short time after a swarm gets established in a new home.
If it was a swarm and there are plenty of eggs I suspect you'll see another cell very soon. If you do perhaps you should consider leaving it to see what happens. The worst thing that can happen is that they swarm, which is unlikely if they have plenty of room. I suggest you could set up a swarm trap nearby in case this does happen.
Good luck, keep us posted'
The Bee Guy]
