Indications Of The Loss

Categories: LOSS OF QUEENS.
Bee Keeping: Mysteries Of Bee-keeping Explained

The next morning after a loss of this kind has occurred, and

occasionally at evening, the bees may be seen running about in the

greatest consternation, outside, to and fro on the sides. Some will fly

off a short distance and return; one will run to another, and then to

another, still in hopes, no doubt, of finding their lost sovereign! A

neighboring hive close by, on the same bench, will probably receive a

portion, whi h will seldom resist an accession under such

circumstances. All this will be going on while other hives are quiet.

Towards the middle of the day, this confusion will be less marked; but

the next morning it will be exhibited again, though not so plainly, and

cease after the third, when they become apparently reconciled to their

fate.



They will continue their labors as usual, bringing in pollen and honey.

Here I am obliged to differ with writers who tell us that all labor

will now cease. I hope the reader will not be deceived by supposing

that because the bees are bringing in pollen, that they _must_ have a

queen; I can assure you it is not always the case.





THE RESULT.



The number of bees will gradually decrease, and be all gone by the



early part of winter, leaving a good supply of honey, and an extra

quantity of bee-bread, as before mentioned, because there has been no

young brood to consume it. This is the case when a large family was

left at the time of the loss. When but few bees are left, it is very

different; the combs are unprotected by a covering of bees; the moth

deposits her eggs on them, and the worms soon finish up the whole. Yet

the bees from the other stocks will generally first remove the honey.