Gday
I am attempting a trap out from a tree that’s been there for a few years ( seems to be a very strong hive ) I was just wondering instead of adding brood to the nuc can I just add a queen in a cage ? As I really don’t have much brood to spare at the moment
Has anyone done this ?? Thanks in advance
Hi Ethan, welcome to the forum. Where in AU are you? It helps to know a rough area, while trying to think of a reply. It will help if you add it to your profile.
At Buderim my bees are in spring mode. In saying that, at this point in time, most colonies will quickly recover after removing a frame of brood. It only needs to be a half frame of brood. You need open brood, so that the returning bees have work to do, which will take their attention away from the hive they came from.
I have never tried a queen only. I guess you can try it & see what happens, however I favor a half frame of open brood.
Thanks for the reply I am in Albury/wodonga
my hives where in full spring mode as well and I just done a split on all 3 of them hence why I don’t have the extra brood at the moment and this person just wanted these bees gone asap as they sold the house
I think I might give it a go first and worst case see if I can get some brood from a mate just have a spare queen at the moment I thought might work just didn’t know if it was possible