Replacing queen

[Dogged]

I want to replace a queen. How long before introducing the new queen CELL should I despatch the existing queen?

 

[madasafish]

I want to replace a queen. How long before introducing the new queen CELL should I despatch the existing queen?

24 hours- for the bees to fully recognise they are Q-

 

[Dogged]

Ta!

 

[Erichalfbee]

And protect the cell?

 

[MikeWade]

Personally. Unless you are replacing due to aggressiveness. I would put the old Q in a nuc and only get rid of her once you have a laying Q in theoriginal colony. Ive had too many cases of Qs . Not mating well, not mating at all or not coming back from mating. So I hedge my bets

 

[Erichalfbee]

Personally. Unless you are replacing due to aggressiveness. I would put the old Q in a nuc and only get rid of her once you have a laying Q in theoriginal colony. Ive had too many cases of Qs . Not mating well, not mating at all or not coming back from mating. So I hedge my bets

I do it the other way round. Make a nuc for the new queen. Wait till she has laid up a decent bit then unite with the aggressive colony.