• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
GardenFork - Eclectic DIY
  • Email Signup
  • Podcast
  • Articles
  • Video
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Email Signup
  • Podcast
  • Articles
  • Video
  • Follow Me Here:

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Email Signup
    • Podcast
    • Articles
    • Video
  • Follow Me Here:

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Articles » Beekeeping

    A Hive Prepares to Swarm, photos show how

    by Eric · This post may contain affiliate links, its one way we pay the bills. · 1 Comment

    I was watching our hives last week, and thought Hive #1 was looking less busy at the entrance. I was thinking it had swarmed. So we opened up the hive, and found our marked queen, which means the hive had not swarmed. ( When a hive swarms, the original queen flies off with half of the honeybees ) But we did find lots of drone cells and 3 queen cells that are being built. We removed the queen cells, but I know we can't stop them from swarming that way. We are going to do a split to reduce the hive population, and remove any more queen cells.

    We just received the queens we ordered from Jennifer Berry, so we have to do this quickly. Its best to do splits in May, I understand, but this being early June I think we'll be ok.

    Our original queen is still in the hive, so it has not swarmed yet

    Our original queen is still in the hive, so it has not swarmed yet. The queen is the bee with the blue mark.

    the beginning of a queen cell among drone cells

    the beginning of a queen cell among drone cells

    here are 2 queen cells being built at the bottom of a frame

    here are 2 queen cells being built at the bottom of a frame

    « Don't confuse people with silly theories : GardenFork Radio
    Big piece of burr comb on a beehive frame pic »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Norma Y. Billings

      July 13, 2012 at 12:14 pm

      Hi there, I just started working with bees this spring. I really love it and have enjoyed your site so much. The pictures are GREAT and everything was explained so well that a dummy like me could understand it. I have my second hive now and really have no hope for any honey this year since both hives were started from scratch. They have worked very hard trying to get everything in order and I am so happy to have them. I can't wait to get my first HOT HONEY biscuit! Keep up the great work you are doing and I look forward to visiting you again soon. GOD Bless.

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Become a Monthly Supporter of GardenFork. Click Here To Learn More

    Pages

    • About
    • Email Signup
    • Let's Stay Connected With Each Other
    • Maple Syrup Evaporator Information
    • Pizza Oven Plans & Make Pizza Videos
    • Privacy Policy
    • Radio
    • Terms of Use & Affliate Information
    • The GF Amazon Shop
    • Want More GardenFork? Here You Go:

    My lawyer makes me do this part: Visitors agree to our Terms Of Service and Affliate Information - Use This Information At Your Own Risk

    Produced by GardenFork Media LLC, Brooklyn, NY ©2021 All Rights Reserved