I've never requeened a hive before. bot some packages this spring and all are up and running well except a package that has very scattered laying. I ordered a new queen and it has just arrived. never requeened before so looking for advice. Seems like after removing the old queen I should let the hive be for a half hour? or so, so that the bees realize they are queenless and will be more likely to accept the new queen. Thoughts? Ideas please. Thank you.
Some people believe you don't want the hive to feel queenless, pull the queen and do the intro at the same time by sticking in the caged queen. If the hive isn't strong they will probably accept her right away but letting them sit for a bit probably won't hurt.
Some beekeepers worry that introducing a queen too quickly will cause the workers to attack her. One trick I used when introducing a new queen is to spray something something scented in the hive such as vanilla or mint. This supposedly wipes out the old queens pheromone scent. When the added scent wheres off the bees accept the new queen.
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