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Last Updated on September 12, 2024 by Anthony
Some of the other posts on my site have mentioned locating the queen in a given hive. There are a number of reasons for this practice, which will be discussed later on, but there is a bigger issue here: how to do it. When you are inspecting a hive filled with thousands of bees, finding the queen is not as easy as identifying a black marble among thousands of white ones.
What does a queen bee look like? Identifying a queen is considered one of the more advanced skills of beekeeping. It takes a lot of practice and many, many inspections. It is not uncommon for first-year beekeepers to find locating the queen impossible. They have to rely on more experienced beekeepers if they are concerned about a hive that may be without a queen.
As a means of introduction, there is nothing biologically special about a queen in the larvae stage. Queens are made when workers randomly choose eggs they will then nurture to birth as queens. Science doesn’t quite know how that choice is made, but any egg could potentially be chosen as the next queen.
So, how do you find her? Let’s get to it. I’ll start with opening a hive box.
Getting into the Hive
We’ve all seen beekeepers on TV using smoke to calm their bees. While smoking isn’t always necessary for experienced beekeepers who are familiar with their hives, it’s generally not recommended if you’re trying to locate the queen.
Contrary to popular belief, smoke doesn’t directly make bees docile; it actually alarms them. When bees detect smoke, they interpret it as a sign of a potential forest fire. In response, they gorge themselves on honey, preparing to abandon the hive if necessary. This gorging makes them sluggish, which is why they appear calmer and less reactive.
Nonetheless, when you’re trying to find the queen, smoke can be counterproductive. The queen often reacts to smoke by quickly moving to safety, with worker bees surrounding and covering her to protect her. This makes locating her much more difficult.
When inspecting the hive to find the queen, start by gently removing one of the outer frames. The less force you use, the less you’ll disturb the bees, especially the queen and her attendants. Work your way toward the center, inspecting each frame carefully as you go.
The queen is usually found near the brood or on the next comb that’s about to be filled with eggs or honey. In most cases, you’ll find her in these areas, making it easier to spot her without the interference of smoke.
What to Look For
Opening your hive and locating the most likely frame is just the beginning. Now comes the task of actually inspecting the frame to find the queen. This is where knowing what to look for becomes crucial. Don’t expect your queen to stand out with a crown and robe—she won’t have any obvious markers. Instead, you’ll need to identify her based on a few key characteristics.
1. Bee Volume
First, observe the volume of bees on the frame you’re inspecting. The queen is typically found on the frame with the most active bees, as workers tend to cluster around her while others are out gathering food.
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2. Behavior
Next, pay close attention to the behavior of the bees, particularly the workers. While most workers in the hive move quickly and somewhat erratically, those attending to the queen are often calmer. Imagine the difference between the hustle and bustle outside a royal castle and the calm, orderly environment inside the throne room.
Look for a small group of worker bees facing a single bee—this is a common sight around the queen. These bees often appear more focused and attentive, almost as if they’re waiting for her instructions. This behavior is reminiscent of human courtiers standing at attention before a queen.
3. Movement
Finally, watch for differences in movement. Experienced beekeepers often describe bee movement as a kind of dance. Worker bees move quickly and jerkily, like dancers performing the bossa nova, while the queen moves more slowly and gracefully, as if she’s dancing a ballet. If you spot a single bee moving deliberately amidst a group of hyperactive workers, that’s likely the queen.
Finding the queen may be challenging at first, and you might not notice these subtleties right away. It takes practice and keen observation. The more you observe and learn during your inspections, the easier it will become to identify the queen. Remember, practice makes perfect.
Physical Characteristics
If all the other observational techniques fail you, a technique of last resort is to look at the physical characteristics of your bees. We consider this a last resort technique because observing any physical differences can be extremely hard. That said, here’s what you’re looking for:
1. Size
Queens usually have upper bodies similar to their workers in terms of size. But their abdomens are larger for obvious reasons. A queen’s abdomen is filled with eggs almost all the time. So it will appear fatter and longer than the workers around her.
2. Color
Sometimes you get lucky and the queen exhibits a slightly different color. What that color is depends on the species of bee you’re working with. She may be darker or lighter than the rest of the workers. Her colors might be brighter or more dull. There is no hard and fast rule here. The goal is to simply look for something different.
When Finding the Queen is Necessary
Let us wrap up this post by discussing why you might need to know how to find a queen bee in a given hive. There aren’t a whole lot of reasons. In fact, you may go through entire seasons in which you have no valid reason to look. Your hives are all healthy and thriving.
The first reason to look for the queen is a suspicion that she might be gone for good. There is a quick and dirty way to answer this question without going through the whole process of taking apart your frames. Look for open brood. If you find evidence of it, the queen was there at some point within the last three days. You probably don’t need to look any further unless you still suspect the queen is gone three or four days later.
The next reason for finding the queen is the existence of a particularly loud or agitated hive. The fact is workers get agitated if there is no queen present. If you are checking for this reason, be careful. Agitated bees can be unfriendly bees.
Next, you might want to check for the queen to make sure she is preparing for winter weather. Queens began to slow down production in late autumn with the understanding that the winter months will bring colder temperatures and less food. The purpose here is to make sure the queen is still alive even though egg production has slowed down. A hive without a queen headed into winter is not likely to survive.
Finally, you’re obviously going to attempt to find the queen when you are requeening a hive. You might be requeening because you are trying to split a rather large hive into two. Or, you might be doing it because your current queen is not as productive as she used to be. In either case, you cannot successfully requeen until you found the existing queen.
How to Find the Queen Bee – Conclusion
In conclusion, finding the queen bee in a hive can be a challenging task, but it is an essential skill that every beekeeper must acquire. The queen is the heart of the colony, and her presence is crucial for the success and productivity of the hive. By following the steps outlined in this article, beekeepers can increase their chances of finding the queen and monitoring her health and behavior. Remember to be patient, gentle, and careful when inspecting your hive to avoid causing any harm or stress to the bees. With practice and experience, you’ll become more confident and skilled at locating the queen and managing your colony effectively.
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Beekeeping Disclaimer:
Beekeeping, like any agricultural activity, involves inherent risks. It is important to understand these risks and take appropriate measures to mitigate them.
Potential risks associated with beekeeping include:
- Bee stings: Honey bees are generally not aggressive but can become defensive if they feel threatened or their hive is disturbed. Bee stings can cause allergic reactions or even anaphylaxis in some individuals, which can be life-threatening. It is important to wear protective clothing and follow best practices when handling bees to minimize the risk of stings.
- Diseases and pests: Bees can be vulnerable to various diseases and pests, including mites, viruses, and bacterial infections. These can have significant impacts on bee colonies, leading to reduced honey production or even colony collapse. It is important to monitor hives regularly and take appropriate measures to prevent and treat diseases and pests.
- Weather conditions: Extreme weather conditions, such as drought or cold temperatures, can affect the health and productivity of bee colonies. It is important to ensure that hives are appropriately sheltered and provided with adequate food and water.
- Environmental hazards: Bees can be affected by environmental hazards such as pesticide exposure, pollution, and habitat loss. It is important to be aware of these hazards and take appropriate measures to protect bee colonies and promote healthy environments for bees.
- Legal requirements: Beekeeping may be subject to local, state, or national regulations, such as registration or inspection requirements. It is important to be aware of these requirements and comply with them.
While beekeeping can be a rewarding and enjoyable activity, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and take appropriate measures to mitigate them. By following best practices and staying informed about the latest developments in beekeeping, beekeepers can help ensure the health and productivity of their hives and contribute to the well-being of bee populations worldwide.