Queen cell production (not swarming)

Conducting regular hive inspections is crucial for monitoring queen cell production and identifying potential queen issues early on. During inspections, beekeepers should systematically check frames for queen cells, noting their type (swarm, supercedure, emergency) and location. If queen cells are found without swarming indicators, a more thorough inspection is needed to assess the queen's health and brood pattern. Regular inspections, typically every 7-10 days during active seasons, allow beekeepers to proactively manage queen-related problems and prevent colony decline.

Requeening, or replacing the existing queen with a new, healthy, mated queen, is a common solution when non-swarming queen cell production indicates queen problems. If hive inspection suggests queen issues like injury, age, disease, or poor performance, requeening can resolve the problem and restore colony health and productivity. Requeening involves removing the old queen and introducing a new queen, typically in a queen cage. Successful requeening leads to a colony headed by a vigorous, productive queen, resolving non-swarm queen cell production. Requeening is a proactive management technique to maintain strong, queenright colonies.

When non-swarming queen cells are observed, carefully inspecting the existing queen for signs of injury or disease is essential to diagnose the cause of queen cell production. This involves gently locating and examining the queen for physical damage, deformities, or signs of illness. A failing queen may be injured, old, diseased, or have poor genetics, prompting the bees to initiate queen replacement. If queen issues are identified, requeening is often the recommended course of action. A magnifying glass can be helpful for detailed queen examination.