So… you open the hive and don’t see any eggs. Panic sets in. Did she die? Did they swarm? Did you crush her?! In this episode, we walk through how to tell whether your colony is actually queenless—and what to do if it is.
What’s Inside This Episode:
- Real reasons your queen might be gone
- False alarms that trick new beekeepers into requeening too soon
- How to recognize normal brood breaks vs. true queenlessness
- The frame-of-eggs test and what it tells you
- What queenless hives sound and act like
- Why waiting a week might be the smartest move you can make
Why Listen to This Episode?
Being queenless doesn’t always mean disaster—but reacting too fast can make it worse. If you’re unsure whether to intervene, requeen, or just walk away and wait, this episode will give you the confidence to make the right call. And if your queen really is gone, you’ll have a clear next step without wasting time or money.
Support the Show:
Website: https://beekeepingfornewbees.com
Discord Room: Beekeeping For Newbees
Blog & Gear Guides: https://bestbeekeepinggear.com
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees
About the Podcast:
Beekeeping for Newbees is a top-ranked podcast that helps hobbyists and small-scale beekeepers build confidence, avoid common mistakes, and enjoy the craft of beekeeping. Each episode dives into practical tips, hive management strategies, and the occasional bee-related rant—all with a focus on helping you become a better beekeeper.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/beekeeping-for-newbees/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.