Time to re-queen?

[Forester Doug]

My colony this year has had a primary swarm which went, and now a cast swarm, the bees have been fairly aggressive, up until this point, but not unmanageable, I wouldn't say enjoyable though. During these swarming months however they have become very aggressive, and a right pain to work with.

I managed to capture a cast swarm from them, and am considering re-queening with one from buckfast stock. Is now a good time? I figure I have half my remaining colony in a hive free from brood and where I know there is only 1 queen.

The original colony is presumed queenless, with no laying queen and I removed all the queen cells I could find. but to be honest their temper makes it extremely difficult to check properly or thoroughly.

What are the chances my new virgin queen in the cast swarm will have a better temperament? Is it time to nip this in the bud now ready for next season?

 

[Erichalfbee]

There are plenty for sale but it doesn’t have to be Buckfast for gentleness. There are plenty of dark bees that are perfectly OK. See if mbc on the forum has any queens. But if you go fir a Buckie you have BS honeybees and Exmoor bees and beehives ( Hivemaker) who will have them

 

[madasafish]

My colony this year has had a primary swarm which went, and now a cast swarm, the bees have been fairly aggressive, up until this point, but not unmanageable, I wouldn't say enjoyable though. During these swarming months however they have become very aggressive, and a right pain to work with.

I managed to capture a cast swarm from them, and am considering re-queening with one from buckfast stock. Is now a good time? I figure I have half my remaining colony in a hive free from brood and where I know there is only 1 queen.

The original colony is presumed queenless, with no laying queen and I removed all the queen cells I could find. but to be honest their temper makes it extremely difficult to check properly or thoroughly.

What are the chances my new virgin queen in the cast swarm will have a better temperament? Is it time to nip this in the bud now ready for next season?

Based on my experience here - about 25%..
Clint Eastwood (showing my age) had a phrase "Are you feeling lucky today...?" which sums it up.. a gamble. And a long wait till mated and laying...

Personally with Autumn approaching and wasp season and the need to start growing winter bees, the situation favours buying a queen..