Queen Rearing • UK

How to Tell if a Hive is Queen-less (UK Guide)

Practical signs, timelines, and inspection tips to confirm whether your hive has lost its queen — plus what to do next to restore colony strength.

Trusted by UK beekeepers for calm, productive Buckfast nucs

Dorset-raised nucleus colonies with UK-mated queens. Disease-checked, friendly advice, secure checkout, and dependable Royal Mail delivery.

Royal Mail Special Delivery
Tracked & secure when shipped
Secure Checkout
SSL & trusted payment providers
5-Star Customer Reviews
Trusted by beekeepers across the UK
UK Customer Support
Friendly advice for new & experienced keepers
Queen Rearing • UK

How to Tell if a Hive is Queenless (UK Guide)

A missing queen doesn’t automatically mean a queenless colony. This guide shows the reliable test-frame method, how to time requeening, and why keeping two colonies makes you resilient from Year 1.

FAQs — Queenless Diagnosis & Requeening

If you’re unsure at any step, repeat the test-frame check, lean on a second colony, and time queen introduction carefully.

Does not finding the queen mean my hive is queenless?
No. Colonies may have a virgin or hidden queen, or develop laying workers. The test-frame method is the only reliable way to confirm.
When should I look after adding a test frame?
Between Day 4–9. Before Day 4, cells may not be visible; after Day 9 you can mis-time your next step.
What does “hopelessly queenless” actually mean?
A state with no queen and no viable brood to raise one. At this point, acceptance of an introduced queen is far more likely.
How do I avoid the bees balling a new queen?
Confirm queenlessness with a test frame, introduce via candy release, and don’t disturb the hive for at least 7 days.
Can a virgin queen cause rejection of a purchased queen?
Yes. Colonies with a virgin often reject introduced queens. Test first to avoid losses.
How do laying workers present?
Multiple eggs per cell, off-centre placement, and patchy, domed drone brood. These colonies are harder to requeen — timing and patience matter.
Should I buy a queen before testing?
We don’t recommend it. Order once you’ve confirmed the safe window to avoid wasting a queen.
Is the method different for National vs Langstroth (or Flow Hive) gear?
No. The test-frame principle works the same across setups.
Can queenlessness affect honey production?
Yes. Brood rearing stops and population falls, which hits long-term honey yield. Diagnose early and requeen at the right time.
What if acceptance fails?
Remove any emergency cells, re-confirm queenlessness with another test frame, and retry introduction — or unite with a strong queenright colony.
Why do you recommend two colonies?
Two colonies provide brood, resources and resilience. You can borrow a test frame instantly and stabilise a failing hive — core to becoming self-sufficient in Year 1.
What should I see after a week if the queen is accepted?
Calm bees, single upright eggs in cells, and a tidy, expanding laying pattern across adjacent frames.