What condition might prompt a beekeeper to consider requeening?

A spotty brood pattern is an important indicator for beekeepers to consider requeening. This condition suggests that the queen may not be performing effectively, as a healthy queen typically lays eggs in a consistent and well-organized pattern. A spotty brood pattern often means that the queen is either aging or has suffered damage or disease, leading to ineffective laying. This can result in weak colonies, as a strong and healthy brood pattern is crucial for the overall health and productivity of the hive. Requeening in this scenario can help ensure the colony has a young, vigorous queen that can produce a stable and healthy brood, ultimately improving the hive's chances for survival and productivity.

In contrast, a consistent brood pattern indicates a healthy queen, increased honey production is a sign of successful foraging and overall colony strength, and strong foraging activity does not inherently indicate any issues with the queen’s performance. These conditions typically do not warrant the need for requeening.