When is the recommended time to requeen a bee colony?

Requeening a bee colony should ideally take place after a year or when there is a spotty brood pattern. This timing allows for maintaining a strong and productive colony. A healthy queen is essential for a colony's success, as her presence ensures a robust brood pattern, meaning she is effectively laying eggs and contributing to colony growth.

If brood patterns become spotty, it is typically an indication that the queen may be aging, unhealthy, or possibly failing to mate successfully. In this situation, requeening can help rejuvenate the colony by introducing a younger, more vigorous queen, which can improve brood production and overall colony health.

While requeening after two or three years is sometimes suggested, the recommendation to act sooner—especially when brood patterns become irregular—is critical for maintaining a flourishing hive. Additionally, waiting until swarming is anticipated may result in losing a portion of the colony, which can be more detrimental than proactively introducing a new queen. Addressing the issue of queen performance earlier rather than later strengthens the colony's vitality and productivity.