A queen bee is the single reproductive female within a honey bee colony, and her presence is the organizing principle for the entire hive. She is the mother of every worker, drone, and subsequent queen, making her essential for colony survival and growth. Beekeepers may need to “attract” a queen in two main scenarios: by capturing a naturally occurring swarm that contains a queen, or by introducing a purchased queen into a hive that has become queenless.
The Role of Queen Pheromones in Colony Cohesion
The queen maintains order within the hive largely through a complex mixture of chemical signals known as pheromones. The most studied of these is Queen Mandibular Pheromone (QMP), which is produced in the queen’s mandibular glands and distributed throughout the colony by worker bees. QMP acts as a primer pheromone, influencing the physiology of the workers, and as a releaser pheromone, affecting immediate behavior.
This chemical signal performs several functions. It suppresses the development of worker bee ovaries, preventing workers from laying eggs and competing with the queen’s reproductive role. Furthermore, QMP prevents workers from raising new queens, inhibiting the swarming impulse of the colony. Worker bees are attracted to the queen by this scent, forming a “retinue” that grooms her and transfers the pheromone across the hive, broadcasting her healthy presence. During mating flights, QMP components also act as a long-range sex attractant, guiding drones to the virgin queen.
Attracting a Natural Swarm with Bait Hives
Attracting a natural swarm is the most direct way to lure a free-flying queen and her colony into a new hive location. This process involves setting up a bait hive, or swarm trap, designed to mimic the ideal natural cavity a swarm’s scout bees would seek out. Research indicates the most attractive volume for a potential nest site is between 40 and 60 liters, which closely corresponds to a standard deep hive body.
Swarms are more likely to occupy bait hives positioned at least 10 to 15 feet off the ground, often on the edge of a woodline or in a large, isolated tree. The entrance should be small and ideally face south or southeast, allowing the cavity to receive morning sun.
To enhance the trap’s appeal, beekeepers often use a scent lure. Lemongrass essential oil is highly effective because its primary component, citral, mimics the Nasanov pheromone that worker bees release to mark a suitable home location. A few drops of lemongrass oil applied near the entrance or on a cotton ball inside the trap can significantly increase the chances of attracting scout bees. Placing a piece of old, dark brood comb inside the trap also adds a familiar, appealing scent that signals a previously successful nest site.
Safe Introduction of a Purchased Queen
When a colony is queenless or a beekeeper wishes to replace a failing queen, a purchased queen must be introduced safely to prevent the workers from rejecting and killing her. This controlled method, known as requeening, relies on a gradual scent assimilation process. The new queen arrives in a small cage, often accompanied by a few attendant worker bees.
The queen cage features a soft candy plug blocking the exit hole, which provides a timed-release mechanism. The first step is to ensure the recipient hive is truly queenless, and any existing queen cells are destroyed before introduction. The caged queen is then placed between two central brood frames, where the population of young, nurturing nurse bees is highest.
The workers in the hive will immediately begin chewing through the candy plug to release the new queen. This process usually takes 48 to 72 hours, allowing the queen’s pheromones to permeate the hive and workers to become accustomed to her scent. If workers exhibit aggressive behavior toward the cage mesh, it may be necessary to leave the candy plug covered for an extra day to prolong the acceptance period. Once the candy plug is breached, the queen emerges and the colony accepts her.