New Queen (I think) but no drones

[Adam]

PS: If a hive really is queenless in September, and there aren't any drones about, will they still make queen cells?

I'm sure they will - and they don't know that there aren't any drones about.

[Rowie]

Now have outcome for original query. Was pretty sure that hive was queenless and was going to unite with another. When I opened them up they also were queenless but had created lots of queen cells! Put a frame with one of these q.c.s into the original hive for a few days to see if they would tear it down. They didn't so I now had two queenless hives. Luckily a friend had a spare queen which I bought. Have now united the two colonies and the queen has been successfully introduced. All ready to go into the winter!

[The Drone Ranger]

Hi Rowie
That was really bad luck losing two queens still its good to know you have fixed the problem thanks for the update

[Jon]

Loads of people have contacted me looking queens after MAQS treatment. This has definitely been a problem and my own limited experience using it on 10 colonies this year has not been positive.

[The Drone Ranger]

Its probably ok in honey season as I think folk inc yourself jon might have pointed out.
Bit risky as an autumn treatment though

[Mellifera Crofter]

... When I opened them up they also were queenless but had created lots of queen cells! Put a frame with one of these q.c.s into the original hive for a few days to see if they would tear it down. They didn't so I now had two queenless hives. ...

Thanks for the update, Rowie. I'm glad you're sorted now.

You've also shown that any doubts I might have had about bees drawing out queen cells in September was unfounded. Jon and Adam were right.
Kitta