Episode 144 – Requeening Your Colony: A Practical Guide 👑🐝

Requeening a hive is one of the most important, and sometimes most confusing, tasks beekeepers face. Whether your queen is failing, gone, or just not cutting it, knowing how and when to step in can make or break your colony’s productivity.What’s Inside This Episode:How to tell if your queen is gone (and why no eggs doesn’t always mean queenless)Natural vs. assisted requeening: pros, cons, and timingUnderstanding queen mating flights and drone congregating areasA walkthrough of different requeening methods:Letting the colony requeenPurchasing queen cellsInstalling a mated queenRequeening with a full nucWhy direct release can backfire (and when it’s okay)When colonies naturally supersede a queen — and why you shouldn’t always waitHow often you should requeen (hint: not every year)Why Listen to This Episode?Whether you’re dealing with a defensive colony or planning ahead for spring splits, this episode gives you a complete framework for understanding your options, weighing the risks, and making the best decision for your apiary. From budget-conscious strategies to high-efficiency options, we cover it all with real-world insights from years of hands-on experience.Support the Show:Website: https://beekeepingfornewbees.comDiscord: https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJBlog + How-To Guides: https://bestbeekeepinggear.comAbout the Podcast:Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 2% podcast with over 500,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what doesn’t in real-world beekeeping.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy