CorkBeeRon · Cork, IE · Swarms · Jun 2, 2026

Caught a prime swarm last night — how soon should I requeen if she doesn't lay?

Volleyball-sized swarm hanging from a low branch yesterday evening. Boxed them, dropped them in a single deep with foundation + one frame of brood from another colony. How long do I give the existing queen before assuming I need to requeen?

#swarms#queen

▲ 22 votes 💬 3 replies

3 replies

ImkerinLena · Jun 2, 2026

Give her 7–10 days to settle. Prime swarms usually have a mated queen and they'll be laying within a week if conditions are right. The frame of brood was smart — keeps them anchored.

LavenderSophie · Jun 2, 2026

Watch for queen cells on that brood frame you donated — if she's failing they'll build emergency cells immediately, which is your tell.

NalediBees · Jun 2, 2026

If no eggs after 14 days, time to requeen. By then you'll have lost too much population to recover this season otherwise.

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