Why your queen bee is not laying eggs and what to do

Did you know that the hive/” title=”Can you harvest honey from a dead hive?”>queen bee

is the lifeblood of a ​hive? Without her,⁣ the entire colony could perish. As beekeepers,​ it’s our⁣ responsibility to keep a close eye ‍on our queen bee. ‍So, have you checked on your queen bee lately?

It’s important to note that a queen bee’s egg-laying may⁢ decrease or even halt completely during⁢ October⁢ or November, even if there are still pollen ‍stores in the hive’s combs. The colony’s⁤ resilience is truly tested during the⁤ cold winters. Under subtropical and mild winter conditions, egg-laying‍ usually ceases.

If it’s not winter⁢ or ​the colder months and your queen ‍bee stops laying eggs, it’s‌ time‍ to investigate. Why has your queen bee stopped laying, and what should you do⁤ about it?

YouTube player

Unraveling the Mystery: ⁤Why Your Queen​ Bee Isn’t Laying​ Eggs

A⁣ typical honey bee colony is a bustling community of about 60,000 workers, a few hundred drones, and one queen bee. The ‌queen bee’s primary role is to lay eggs,‌ and the colony’s ⁣activities fluctuate with the seasons.

The period from September ‌to December is like the start of a ‌new year for a honeybee colony. ‍The colony’s ‌condition during this time significantly influences its prosperity in the upcoming year. ‌As autumn arrives, the influx ‌of nectar and⁢ pollen⁢ into ⁢the hive decreases. Consequently, the hive reduces brood⁣ rearing and the ⁣population begins to ⁤dwindle.

Depending on the queen bee’s age and egg-laying condition, the proportion of older bees in the colony decreases. The younger ⁣bees will survive the winter, while the ⁤older ones will not.

As the nectar supply in the field ‌dwindles, the worker bees expel ​the drones from the hive and prevent their ​return. ‌This leads to the death of the drones and a reduction in honey ‌consumption, which is crucial for ⁤the remaining ⁤bees’ ‍survival during winter. ⁤It’s during this time that the‍ queen bee ceases to ⁢lay eggs. This⁢ is a normal‌ part of the bees’ lifecycle, and nothing ​to worry about.

Another reason your queen might stop ‌laying eggs is a⁤ “brood⁣ break,” a strategy bees use to control ‍the spread of brood disease. A queen taking a brood break‌ is not a cause for concern, and she should resume laying eggs soon.

But what if your queen isn’t laying eggs,⁢ and it’s not between September and December? This is where things can get a bit tricky. ​A lack of eggs and brood could be the first ⁤sign of​ a‌ queenless colony.

Interestingly, you can observe these symptoms in your hive​ even if your colony still⁢ has a queen. This is more common ⁢than you⁢ might think! Your queen may have stopped laying because she⁢ is no longer‌ fertile.

Bees ‍- Living for the Queen

Action‍ Plan: What To Do When Your Queen Bee Isn’t ⁢Laying

Once you’ve determined why your queen bee isn’t laying ‌eggs, it’s ⁤time ‌to take action. If it’s not winter, you’re likely dealing‌ with a queenless ⁤hive. But don’t panic! If ‌you’ve been diligent​ with your ⁢hive inspections, you have ample ‌time to⁢ address this issue without​ causing⁢ significant ⁣harm to​ the bees or their hive.

If you have more than⁢ one hive, you’re in ⁢luck! You can provide the queenless‍ hive with a frame from one of your other hives that contains a few eggs or very​ young brood.

If your hive is queenless, it will start queen cells on that frame of brood ⁢immediately. The only exception to this is‍ when a​ hive has​ been without ​a queen for 30‍ days. By then, ⁤the hive will have so many ⁢laying workers ​that‌ they won’t start queen ⁤cells.

By this point,⁣ your hive will not only be queenless but ​also completely broodless and very weak.‍ Many of the foragers will abandon a queenless hive. However, this is not a ⁣major concern if you conduct ‌inspections‌ at least every other week to ensure that⁢ your hives are ⁢queen-right!

If you’re interested, I’ve written another article ⁣titled “Things to do if your​ queen⁣ bee is gone” that you ⁤might ​find helpful. You can read it⁣ here.

The article will open‌ in a new tab⁤ so you can continue ​reading​ this one.

When You Need to Buy a New Queen

So, when should you let your bees raise their own ⁢queen? A naturally ‍bred queen has the ⁤advantage of ⁢possessing​ feral genes,⁢ which can lead to a stronger and⁤ healthier colony. You can‌ increase ⁢the‍ chances of this by taking⁣ brood from‌ one of your best⁣ hives. This is a ‌simpler solution ⁣and it doesn’t cost⁤ a ⁢penny.

However, there are situations where it’s ⁤not feasible to give ⁤a ‌brood to your hive or ⁢let them raise a new queen. In some cases, when your hive has⁣ been queenless ⁣for a certain period, you’ll ‍need to buy a replacement ‍queen to ensure‌ the survival of your colony.

We all know how to buy a new queen and introduce her to the hive. ⁢If you’re unsure,‍ check out one of my previous ‌articles, “Things‌ to do if a queen bee is⁣ missing.” But there’s a specific timeframe during queenlessness ⁣when you can ⁢buy a new queen and⁣ introduce her to the hive.

Here’s a timeline of queenlessness⁣ to give you a general idea:

Understanding the Timeline of Queenlessness:

  1. If there’s no brood‍ of any kind, the population is weak,‍ workers are laying, there are ⁤robbers, or wax worms are taking over, ⁢ your⁣ hive has been queenless for too long to save. In this case, it’s‌ best to shake it out and start anew.
  2. If ‌there are only capped drone⁢ broods, your⁤ hive⁣ has been ⁣queenless​ for less than ‍three weeks.
  3. If there’s no brood of any kind, but the ⁢population is strong, your hive has been ​queenless for⁢ over three weeks or at least ‍24 days. If the population ‍inside the hive is still robust and the bees have cleaned out a comb for the⁢ queen to lay eggs, you can introduce a ​new ‍queen to your hive as soon ⁣as possible.

Keep in mind, it takes a hive about twelve ⁢days to raise a new queen, and that queen another week at least ‌to harden‌ up and get⁢ mated. ‌After that, it takes her another week ⁢to start laying. This is why ‍it’s⁢ so crucial⁣ for you to always know the status of your ⁢queen bee⁣ and ‍her presence⁣ in your ‍hive.

I’ve written an intriguing article titled “Can a bee hive⁤ really⁢ have two queens?” that you might find interesting. You can read it ‌ here.

Wrapping⁣ Up

In conclusion, ensuring that your colony has a queen should be your top⁣ priority‍ during hive inspections. Early detection of a queenless ‍hive is crucial for⁣ the survival of your colony. ⁤A great way to stay​ on top of ​your beekeeping game‌ is to⁣ keep a record‌ of your⁢ observations!

Make⁢ a habit of noting down ​what‌ you see in your ‍hive⁣ during each inspection. This way,​ you won’t forget to check for eggs! ‌If you discover that‌ your colony is queenless, carefully consider all your options and decide whether you’d prefer to buy a queen⁣ or let⁢ your ‍colony raise its own.

Remember, queenlessness is ​a‌ problem ‍that won’t resolve itself!


Title: ⁤Understanding and​ Managing the Phenomenon ‍of Non-Laying Queen ​Bees



The ‌success and longevity ‍of a bee colony hinges on the fecundity of the queen bee, given her vital role in producing new workers ⁣to sustain the ‌hive. Hence, ‌when a queen ‌bee ceases ⁢to lay eggs, the‍ beekeeper will often ⁤be filled with trepidation, ‌understandably so. This article aims‍ to⁤ provide insights into why your queen bee may potentially be unable ⁤to lay eggs⁣ and offer practical solutions to address this concern.



The Crux of the Matter:⁣ Why ‍Your Queen⁣ Bee‌ Isn’t Laying Eggs



Several ⁤factors may contribute​ to a queen bee refraining from laying ⁢eggs. Foremost among these are seasonal​ changes, age of the ‌queen, hive conditions, ⁣disease or parasites, as well ⁢as stress ⁢factors.



1. Seasonal Changes: During winter, queens ⁢naturally curtail egg-laying due⁣ to the ‍reduced availability ‌of resources and​ colder⁢ temperatures. This ⁣phenomenon can be more pronounced in regions with harsh winters.



2. Queen’s Age: A queen bee’s most prolific egg-laying period is within the⁢ first two years of her life. As⁤ she‍ ages, her egg production gradually⁢ reduces and may eventually stop altogether due to ​depletion ⁤of​ sperm or⁤ age-related issues.



3. Hive Conditions: If the hive conditions are not conducive, the queen might ⁢stop⁢ laying eggs. This could be due to limited space for her to lay⁤ eggs,‌ or lack of ⁤food resources and worker bees to incubate ​the brood and gather nourishments.



4. Disease or Parasites: Pests like Varroa mites or diseases such as Nosema⁢ or American Foulbrood can affect the queen’s ability to lay eggs. In ⁣some cases, it may also lead to queen’s death​ and colony collapse.



5. Stress Factors: Changes⁤ in‍ the hive, frequent disturbances, or the presence⁤ of toxins⁣ or pesticides in the environment ​can stress the queen, resulting in halted or reduced egg-laying.



Navigating the Problem: What to ‍Do



Addressing⁣ the non-egg laying issue necessitates a thorough understanding of ‍these causes, followed by a ⁣systematic approach to rectify any identifiably negative conditions.



1.‌ Patience during Winters: Understand that decreased egg-laying is routine in colder temperatures. Monitor the hive, but⁣ avoid‌ unnecessary interference.



2. Re-Queening: If the queen is of considerable age, it may be beneficial ⁣to introduce‌ a new, younger queen to the hive. This process, termed ‘re-queening,’⁣ ensures a healthy, fertile queen capable of maintaining hive productivity.



3. Improve Hive​ Conditions: As a ‍preemptive measure,‍ always ensure that the⁣ hive conditions are optimal. Regularly check to ascertain whether the hive has ample room and resources for​ the queen to continue her egg-laying activity.



4. Disease and Pest Control: Regular hive checks will also help detect potential diseases​ and pests. Should you suspect such a situation, swiftly seek professional help or use⁢ trusted treatments to rid the hive⁣ of these‍ destructive entities.



5. Mitigate Stress: Limit hive inspection frequency to minimal​ necessary checks and⁤ avoid ‍using harmful chemicals near the beehives.



It is pertinent for​ any beekeeper to remember that⁣ the well-being of their queen‌ bee is pivotal to the ‍prosperity of their beekeeping ⁢endeavor. By understanding ‍the ⁤reasons​ why a queen might cease her‌ egg-laying duties and active participation in‌ improving hive conditions, beekeepers can ensure a healthy, ‍productive​ colony. Also, it is ‍important to ⁣collaborate with local beekeeping associations or seek expert advice when‍ dealing with ‌complex issues to ensure the well-being of these valuable ‌pollinators.