Drone Brood vs Worker Brood

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We take a look at how to tell the difference between drone brood vs worker brood, and the difference between brood and honey cells. 

When I was younger I used to do at least 50 bee removals every year. This involved removing bees from walls and ceilings mostly. These days I mainly just collect swarms. When we remove wild bee nests there is normally a lot of bee brood.

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Drone brood is very easy to see – the cells are larger than worker cells, and the capped brood bulges out like a half peanut from the frames. Worker brood has an orange fluffy capping and drone brood is even more fluffy.

Drone Brood vs Worker Brood

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Bees will store honey in both worker and drone cells. When they store honey in a cell they build a wax cap that is flat across the top of the cell.

The Difference Between Brood and Honey Cells

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A Closer Look At Drone Brood

Drone brood cells are big. Worker brood cells typically range from 4.6mm to 5.1mm for European Honeybee races.

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Worker Brood

Worker brood is far smaller than drone brood, as mentioned above. These bees hatch and leave a layer of silk behind, meaning that with time, brood cells build up a layer of silk.

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ADVICE

Brood is lighter in weight than honey. Brood combs are also warmer than honeycombs. You will also normally find that brood combs are a bit thinner than honeycombs.

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