Torvy
Super Member
Rookie mistake. Never let them know you checked their facts.Thanks for that.
Now my wife wants to know why I believe you, and not her when she first mentioned it!
Beekeeping
- Thread starter LittleBittyBigJohn
- Start date
- Views: 86108
lsgreg
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2024
- Messages
- 61
- Tractor
- LS MT225S
I set up a couple of double queen hives over the last few days.
I have never done this before, but the concept is that the combined colonies will act like one huge colony, boosting honey production above that which the two separate colonies would produce.
So far, based on the activity outside the boxes, it looks promising.
I have never done this before, but the concept is that the combined colonies will act like one huge colony, boosting honey production above that which the two separate colonies would produce.
So far, based on the activity outside the boxes, it looks promising.
BackRoad
Veteran Member
There we go, we've gone into territory that will get us in trouble talking about all the work the females do!! 
How does what is effectively one hive (though double sized) operate with two active Queens?
Doesn't that create conflict and potential for swarming?
How does what is effectively one hive (though double sized) operate with two active Queens?
Doesn't that create conflict and potential for swarming?
lsgreg
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2024
- Messages
- 61
- Tractor
- LS MT225S
The bottom boxes are not connected or open to each other in any way. So, in the left stack there is a queen, and in the right stack there is a queen. The queens are 100% separated from each other. They cannot kill each other.
On top, in the middle, there is a queen excluder, so she cannot exit or cross over that way. On top of that are the honey supers.
As to why the workers don't fight, I don't know, but they don't.
Swarming is always possible, but the hive is huge, with lots of space, so I hope there will not be swarming pressure.
About the 2 queen hive, apparently that happens in nature sometimes, and maybe in our hives more than we know. I once saw 3 queens in a normal hive, and they did not swarm. Eventually only one queen remained.
On top, in the middle, there is a queen excluder, so she cannot exit or cross over that way. On top of that are the honey supers.
As to why the workers don't fight, I don't know, but they don't.
Swarming is always possible, but the hive is huge, with lots of space, so I hope there will not be swarming pressure.
About the 2 queen hive, apparently that happens in nature sometimes, and maybe in our hives more than we know. I once saw 3 queens in a normal hive, and they did not swarm. Eventually only one queen remained.
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
Got another bee cutout call. This time an apartment complex in another county. They got our name from some folks we sell honey to. They have a colony inside a wall and their maintenance guys won't go near it... So, looks like another colony to re-home. The old bee vac is earning it's keep this season.
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
Just as I finished typing that, I got another cutout call from the DNR list I'm on. Definitely honey bees going into what looks like this guy's soffit. Moved in a few days ago. So, two cutout consults this weekend.
ponytug
Super Member
Wow, you are both busy and lucky!
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
I was in St Louis on the flight deck getting ready to push when the guy called. Almost took a delay because I couldn't get him off the phone. Quite the talker 
. He sent photos of the invasion while I was enroute to NYC.
. He sent photos of the invasion while I was enroute to NYC.