I started this year with two beehives. I ordered 2 packages of Italian honey bees that have to this point been going strong.
One hive is quite strong, I have a good queen and the population is robust. These bees are putting away honey for the winter and have a regular population of workers.
The second hive is weak to say the least. The hive swarmed a couple weeks ago and the queen that was raised doesn't seem to be laying any eggs. This hive had issues from the beginning with a lot of drones being raised. I have yet to check the hive into which the swarm was moved, but all indications are that the hive is healthy.
As a matter of management, I need to functionally requeen the weak hive today. I will find the non-laying queen and kill her. Tomorrow, I will move several bars of eggs, brood, honey and bees from my strong hive into the weak hive hoping that the bees will raise one of the eggs into a queen who will then re-populate the hive. I just hope that it is not too late. A strong fall nectar flow may be required to save this hive, but time and good management are required to put the hive in a position to be successful.
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