Another way to requeen

[IndianaHoney]

I was told today that if I requeen in the summer when the nectar flows are good, I can put a queen cell between the top frames of a hive (in the supers), then the new virgin will hatch and kill the old queen.

I always thought that a hive would tear down that cell, or the old queen would kill the new queen in her cell. Has anyone ever tried this?

[Tom G. Laury]

I've never done it but...

An excellent beekeeper in Wyo. swears by it except that he says you must use a cell protector. Once she hatches out she is safe.

All of this is done during a honeyflow, good conditions, supers on, cells introduced far from brood nest.

If you raised your own & it worked, sure would be low input!

[Keith Jarrett]

Yes,

Make sure there are some supers on and put the cell at the very top, also you can use cell protectors (jz-bz). Many folks do this at the end of the flow.

[Jim Fischer]

The new queen is unlikely to kill the laying queen.
Virgins certainly will kill other virgins, but the laying queen's
court will keep her safe even in her declining months.

The usual scenario is for both queens to be laying, each with
their own cohort of bees who are "loyal". If the old queen
needs replacing, she will be judged on her own merits, and
given the same fine retirement plan as other old queens get -
a chance to make a run for it.

Sorry to be so blunt, but bees are insects.

[IndianaHoney]

I'll give it a try. Thank you for the answers.

[BEES4U]

I place a ripe queen cell into the hive to help the bees with a forced supercedure.
It does not matter if the hive is a single or a double.
You can also make a summer divide in the top super, let it become established and pull out the split board.

Regards,
Ernie Lucas Apiaries.