3 replies to this topic

[prettycode]

I have two camponotus pennsylvanicus queens. One queen has a worker, one doesn't.

 

Actually, the queen with the worker is now dead. But the worker's alive, and she left behind probably 10 - 15 eggs.

 

Can I take the worker and 10 - 15 eggs, and give them to the other queen that's still alive? Is that safe?

Edited by prettycode, August 15 2015 - 4:24 PM.

[ctantkeeper]

personally, i believe that brood boosting can cause the queens reproductive cycle to become "warped", preventing her from creating large amounts of brood and raising them to adult hood. however, this can easily be fixed by waiting until the queen produces her own brood and gains her first batch of nanitics and giving the colony a very small (5-6 items or less) pile of brood. this has worked for me in the past. the damage becomes less sevre as the number of workers in the queen's colony increases. as for your orphaned worker, transfers can be done, but usually end in failure. try cooling both tubes and introducing the worker the queen while they are still slow moving and cold. if this does not work, remove the worker and try again. if all else fails, release the worker outside. hope this helps

[Gregory2455]

I have two camponotus pennsylvanicus queens. One queen has a worker, one doesn't.

 

Actually, the queen with the worker is now dead. But the worker's alive, and she left behind probably 10 - 15 eggs.

 

Can I take the worker and 10 - 15 eggs, and give them to the other queen that's still alive? Is that safe?

Considering you are in Washington, I think what you think are C.pennsylvanicus are actually C.modoc. Sorry about the queen.

[William. T]

I see no problems with boosting. Do the standard procedure.