There’s nothing quite like the responsibility of introducing a new queen. In your hand is one tiny insect, but the entire future of the colony depends on her survival. It’s a moment of hope, nerves, and—if we’re honest—a little bit of fear.
Over the years I’ve had successes, failures, and a few surprises when it comes to requeening. The process isn’t always as straightforward as popping a cage into the hive and walking away. The bees have their own ideas, and sometimes those ideas clash with ours. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way.
Why Requeen in the First Place?
Queens don’t last forever. After about two seasons, even a good queen begins to falter. Signs you might need to requeen include:
-
Patchy brood patterns or too many drones.
-
Aggressive bees that are more trouble than they’re worth.
-
A colony that’s swarmed recently and is struggling to rebuild.
-
Old age—she’s simply run out of steam.
A new queen can refresh the hive, calming its temperament and boosting productivity.
The Induction Process (On Paper)
In theory, introducing a new queen is simple. She comes in a cage with a fondant plug. The cage goes between two brood frames, the bees eat through the fondant over a few days, and she walks out into her new kingdom. The gradual release lets her pheromones spread and gives the colony time to accept her.
But as every beekeeper quickly learns, real life doesn’t always follow the book.
When Things Go Wrong
1. The Colony Rejects Her
When it comes to the intricate world of bee colonies, the acceptance of a new queen is a crucial process that must be handled with care and precision. One key factor that often surprises many is that the colony must be completely queenless for a new queen to be accepted. Simply having a queen present who isn't laying eggs is not sufficient for the introduction of a new queen.
Why is a Completely Queenless Colony Necessary?
Bees are highly organized and efficient creatures that operate within a complex social structure. The presence of a queen bee in a colony dictates the behavior and dynamics of the entire hive. When a new queen is introduced, the existing queen must be completely absent to avoid any conflicts or challenges to the new queen's authority.
How Do Bees React to a Queen That Isn't Laying Eggs?
Even if the current queen has stopped laying eggs, she still emits pheromones that signal her presence and status within the colony. This can create confusion and resistance when attempting to introduce a new queen. The bees may reject the new queen or even become aggressive towards her if the previous queen is still in the hive.
What Happens When a Colony is Completely Queenless?
When a colony is completely queenless, the bees enter a state of emergency known as "queenlessness." During this time, the bees will work to raise a new queen by selecting a young larva and feeding it a special diet called royal jelly. This new queen will then emerge and take over the role of laying eggs and leading the colony.
It is essential for beekeepers to understand the delicate balance within a bee colony and the importance of ensuring that the colony is completely queenless before attempting to introduce a new queen. By following these guidelines, beekeepers can increase the chances of a successful transition and the acceptance of a new queen within the hive.
Sometimes the bees form a ball around her cage and try to suffocate her. This is usually a sign they aren’t ready.
2. "Hidden Queen" Problem?
Have you ever heard of the “Hidden Queen” problem in beekeeping? This puzzling situation challenges even the most experienced beekeepers. Everything seems right — the hive looks queenless, and you carefully introduce a new queen — only for her to be swiftly rejected or killed. What gives?
Let’s take a closer look at this hidden danger lurking inside the hive.
What Is the Hidden Queen Problem?
The “Hidden Queen” problem happens when you believe a hive is queenless — but it’s not. Somewhere in the colony, there’s still a queen — maybe an aging one, or a virgin queen just back from a mating flight — and the bees know it, even if you don't.
She might be small, fast, and not yet laying eggs, which makes her incredibly difficult to spot. But to the colony, she’s still their queen. So when you introduce a new one, the workers treat her like an intruder… and take her out.
How to Detect a Hidden Queen
Finding a hidden queen is easier said than done — but there are a few tricks:
-
Look for Subtle Signs: Eggs and young larvae are clues a queen is present. But be aware — a virgin queen won't have started laying yet.
-
Watch Bee Behaviour: Bees in a truly queenless hive often act more disorganized, louder, and anxious. A calm hive may still be loyal to a queen you haven’t seen.
-
Use a Test Frame: Add a frame of eggs or young brood from another hive. If they start building emergency queen cells within a few days, they’re queenless. If not — the hidden queen is likely still in charge.
How to Avoid Queen Introduction Fails
To protect your precious (and expensive) new queen:
-
Wait a Few Days: Sometimes it pays to pause. If a virgin queen is present, she may need time to mate and start laying. Introducing another queen too soon can be a costly mistake.
-
Use a Queen Cage with Care: Let the colony “get used to” the new queen’s scent while she’s still in the cage. Don’t rush the release — especially if you're not 100% sure they're queenless.
-
Check Everywhere — Literally: I once thought a hive was queenless and couldn’t figure out why they wouldn’t accept the new queen. After much head scratching, I found the original queen under the mesh floor, trying to make her way back in after a swarm attempt. To the bees, she was still “present” — even though I hadn’t spotted her. Lesson learned: always check thoroughly — even under the floor!
Mastering the Hidden Queen Puzzle
Like a chess master spotting a hidden queen on the board, experienced beekeepers learn to read the subtle signs of queen presence. It takes practice, patience, and sometimes a bit of humility (we’ve all missed one before!).
So next time your hive “rejects” a new queen, don’t be too quick to blame the bees. The old queen might still be there, hiding in plain sight.
3. Emergency Queen Cells
Emergency queen cells are a fascinating aspect of beekeeping that play a crucial role in the survival and health of a honeybee colony. But what exactly are emergency queen cells and why do bees create them?
What are Emergency Queen Cells?
Emergency queen cells are special cells that worker bees construct when the colony is in urgent need of a new queen. This typically occurs when the existing queen is lost, injured, or not performing her duties effectively. The worker bees select young larvae, usually less than three days old, and feed them a special diet called royal jelly to develop them into new queens.
Why do Bees Create Emergency Queen Cells?
Bees create emergency queen cells as a survival mechanism for the colony. The queen bee is essential for the reproduction and overall functioning of the hive. Without a queen, the colony cannot thrive. By creating emergency queen cells, the worker bees ensure that there is a replacement queen ready to take over and continue the vital tasks of egg-laying and maintaining the colony.
How to Identify Emergency Queen Cells
Emergency queen cells are typically smaller and more irregular in shape compared to regular queen cells. They are often found in unusual locations within the hive, such as along the edges of the comb or on the face of the comb. Beekeepers need to regularly inspect their hives to identify the presence of emergency queen cells and take appropriate action if needed.
Importance of Managing Emergency Queen Cells
While emergency queen cells are a natural response to a queen bee crisis, beekeepers need to manage them carefully to prevent issues such as swarming or the emergence of multiple queens, which can lead to conflicts within the colony. By understanding the reasons behind the creation of emergency queen cells and taking proactive steps, beekeepers can help maintain the health and stability of their hives.
Emergency queen cells are a fascinating example of the intricate social structure and survival strategies of honeybee colonies. By learning more about these unique cells and their significance, beekeepers can enhance their understanding of bee behaviour and improve their management practices for healthier and more productive hives.
If there are eggs in the hive, the bees may ignore your new queen and make their own. They know best, after all—or at least they think they do.
4. Poor Timing and Bad Weather
Introducing a new queen bee to a hive is a delicate process that requires careful planning and consideration. Poor timing and bad weather can have a significant impact on the success of this crucial task. Let's explore the key factors to keep in mind when introducing a new queen bee in less than ideal conditions.
Why is timing important when introducing a new queen bee?
Timing plays a critical role in the successful introduction of a new queen bee to a hive. It is essential to introduce the new queen at the right moment to ensure that the existing worker bees accept her as their new leader. Introducing a queen bee too early or too late can lead to rejection by the hive, resulting in a failed introduction process.
How does poor timing affect the introduction of a new queen bee?
If a new queen bee is introduced too soon after the removal of the old queen, the worker bees may still be loyal to the previous queen. This can lead to resistance and rejection of the new queen, disrupting the hive's harmony. On the other hand, introducing a new queen too late can result in the hive becoming queenless, causing chaos and instability.
What role does bad weather play in the introduction of a new queen bee?
Bad weather can also have a significant impact on the successful introduction of a new queen bee. Rain, strong winds, or extreme temperatures can stress the bees and disrupt their normal behaviour. In such conditions, the bees may be less receptive to a new queen, making the introduction process more challenging.
How to mitigate the effects of poor timing and bad weather when introducing a new queen bee?
To mitigate the effects of poor timing and bad weather, beekeepers can take certain precautions. It is essential to monitor weather forecasts closely and choose a day with mild conditions for introducing the new queen. Additionally, beekeepers can use techniques such as the introduction of a queen cage to gradually acclimate the bees to the presence of the new queen.
By carefully considering timing and weather conditions when introducing a new queen bee, beekeepers can increase the likelihood of a successful integration into the hive. Remember, patience and attention to detail are key when undertaking this important task.
Bees are more cranky during a nectar dearth or in unsettled weather. A poorly timed introduction often ends badly.
5. A Virgin on Patrol
As a virgin queen bee emerges from her cell, she embarks on a crucial mission to establish her dominance in the hive. With the future of the colony at stake, she sets out on a patrol to locate and eliminate any potential rival queens that may threaten her reign.
Why is the Virgin Queen Bee on Patrol?
The virgin queen bee's primary objective is to ensure that she is the sole queen in the hive. If she were to encounter another queen, a deadly battle for supremacy would ensue, ultimately resulting in the death of one queen. This ruthless competition is a natural part of the reproductive process in honeybee colonies.
How Does the Virgin Queen Bee Locate Other Queens?
Using her acute sense of smell, the virgin queen bee can detect the pheromones released by other queens in the vicinity. She will systematically search the hive, inspecting each cell and assessing the presence of any potential rivals. If she encounters another queen, she will not hesitate to engage in a fierce battle to eliminate the threat.
What Happens After the Virgin Queen Bee Eliminates Rival Queens?
Once the virgin queen bee has successfully eliminated all rival queens, she will establish herself as the sole monarch of the hive. She will then begin her mating flights, during which she will mate with multiple drones to ensure genetic diversity within the colony. After mating, she will return to the hive to begin laying eggs and perpetuate the future of the colony.
It is essential for the virgin queen bee to assert her dominance early on to secure the survival and prosperity of the hive. Through her vigilant patrol and ruthless elimination of rival queens, she plays a critical role in maintaining the harmony and productivity of the colony.
Sometimes a virgin queen is already in the hive. She may be hidden, but the second you introduce a new one, she’ll hunt her down.
Tricks That Improve Your Odds
Over time, I’ve found a few methods that make requeening smoother.
- Cage the old queen first – If the colony is hot-tempered, I’ll cage the cranky old queen a week before replacing her. That way, the bees don’t have fresh eggs to make emergency queen cells. When I remove her and bring in the new queen, they have no choice but to accept her.
- Delay the release – When adding a queen straight into a nuc I’ve just made up, I cover the fondant entrance of the cage with masking tape with a few small pin holes. This means the bees can’t eat the fondant straight away and let her out. After two or three days the bees would have chewed through the masking tape, and by then, the colony has settled around her scent and is far more likely to accept her.
- Make them miss her – Leaving the colony queenless for a few hours (or overnight) before introducing the new queen makes the bees much more receptive.
Check and check again – Before you even think about introducing a new queen, make absolutely sure there isn’t an old one lurking somewhere or queen cells hidden in a corner.
What to Look For After Introduction
The hardest part is waiting. New beekeepers often peek too soon, but patience pays.
After 5–7 days, check for:
- Fresh eggs or larvae—the best sign she’s working.
- Calm behaviour—if the bees are moving gently over the frames, all is well.
- No queen cells—if they’re building them, they still aren’t happy with her
If you find dead silence in the brood nest and no sign of eggs, something has gone wrong. Don’t lose heart—it happens to everyone.
Quick Checklist: Requeening Success
- Check for hidden queens and queen cells.
- Remove or cage the old queen.
- Leave the colony queenless for a few hours.
- Introduce the new queen in a cage with bee candy/fondant .
- Delay release if needed (tape over bee candy/fondant).
- Check acceptance after 5–7 days.
- Look for eggs, larvae, and calm bees.
Queens at Kinsale Honey House
Here at Kinsale Honey House, queens aren’t just something we talk about—they’re a big part of what we do. We raise and sell healthy, productive queens that are well-suited to Irish conditions. Whether you’re requeening a hot hive, building up a nuc, or simply refreshing your stock, we can supply Buckfast Queens to give your colonies the best start.
https://kinsalehoneyhouse.ie/products/queens
Because when it comes to beekeeping, everything begins and ends with the queen