Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => REQUEENING & RAISING NEW QUEENS => Topic started by: CoolBees on October 23, 2019, 04:30:53 pm

Title: When to replace a failing Queen?
Post by: CoolBees on October 23, 2019, 04:30:53 pm
When should I replace a failing Queen?

... I had a queen that was failing. Spotty brood patterns during the summer, and worse into August. Hive was strong at that time with 3 x 8 frame med boxes full of bees and stores.

I thought I'd let nature take its course - assuming that the bees knew best, and would replace her. They didn't.

Last Sundays inspection showed that Wax moths had invaded and mostly taken over. No queen. No brood. About 4 frames of bees left. Pretty much a mess inside.

I know there are probably several trains of thought on this, so im interested in all thoughts/comments?
Title: Re: When to replace a failing Queen?
Post by: iddee on October 23, 2019, 10:06:56 pm
""When should I replace a failing Queen?""

YESTERDAY.
By the time you realize she is failing, you are already late.
Title: Re: When to replace a failing Queen?
Post by: Michael Bush on October 24, 2019, 08:43:06 am
>When should I replace a failing Queen?

Anytime I am certain the queen is failing I would replace her.  Just take into account conditions and time of year etc.  A good queen can't raise brood, it takes workers to do that.  She can only lay eggs and maintain morale with her pheromones, but she needs help.  Sometimes it takes a bit for her to get started.  But if you have a queen who used to do well who is now laying spotty brood and/or her hive is on a down turn and that can't be explained by conditions (dearth, time or year etc.) then I would requeen.
Title: Re: When to replace a failing Queen?
Post by: Ben Framed on October 24, 2019, 12:00:28 pm
When should I replace a failing Queen?

... I had a queen that was failing. Spotty brood patterns during the summer, and worse into August. Hive was strong at that time with 3 x 8 frame med boxes full of bees and stores.

I thought I'd let nature take its course - assuming that the bees knew best, and would replace her. They didn't.

Last Sundays inspection showed that Wax moths had invaded and mostly taken over. No queen. No brood. About 4 frames of bees left. Pretty much a mess inside.

I know there are probably several trains of thought on this, so im interested in all thoughts/comments?

Good post Alan, 
Phillip
Title: Re: When to replace a failing Queen?
Post by: CoolBees on October 24, 2019, 12:38:50 pm
Thank you Gentlemen for the answers. Very clear.

This queen came with a swarm in the spring, so she was older. She did great in the spring, but by early summer showed signs of degrading.

I will approach this differently next time. I is still learnin'.  :grin:
Title: Re: When to replace a failing Queen?
Post by: Michael Bush on October 24, 2019, 03:14:33 pm
I like them to notice and take care of it.  Usually by the time I notice they are taking care of it, but sometimes the bees don't have the instinct to sense a failing queen.