Locating Queens
Needle in a haystack
Finding a Hard-to-Spot Queen (Process of Elimination)
Queen bees can be difficult to spot, especially in a crowded hive. This becomes even more challenging when a hive has requeened itself and picked up more defensive genetics. In those cases, the queen is often more skittish and harder to locate.
The technique below is a simple process of elimination. Instead of chasing the queen around the hive, we move the bees in a controlled way so she eventually reveals herself.
The Excluder is a handy tool
This method uses a queen excluder as a tool—not for honey production, but for isolating the queen.
Set Up - You will need:
- an empty super/hive body
- a queen excluder
Set an empty super on the lid. Place the queen excluder on top of that, leaving a small gap (about 2–3 frames wide) so you can slide frames into the box below. Set your brood box on top of the excluder.
This method works most of the time, but there are no guarantees. Some queens are just better at hiding than others—beekeeping tends to follow that “90% rule.”
Using a Queen Excluder to Isolate the Queen
Now work through the hive one frame at a time:
- Remove a frame and check for the queen
- If she is not on that frame, shake or brush the bees back into the top box
- Place the empty frame into the bottom box, underneath the excluder
- Slide it fully into place and move to the next frame
Repeat this process until all frames have been worked or the queen is found.
If the queen has not been located after all frames are moved, shift the boxes so the full box is below the excluder and apply a small amount of smoke above it.
Worker bees will move down through the excluder to return to the brood. The queen will remain above the excluder, making her easy to locate.
For double deep hives or larger setups, repeat the process one box at a time.
Note: The drones are not able to fit through the excluder, so there may be several drones remaining in the box, which could offer the queen additional hiding areas if there are several grouped together. A puff of smoke or a gentle brush with your finger can be used to make them move them around for closer inspection.
What to Expect During the Process
Bees will not automatically move neatly into the box on their own. As you work through this process, many will cluster, spill over the edges, and cover the outside of the box.
This is normal.
In many cases, the bees will form a “waterfall” around the sides rather than moving straight down into the box below.
Because of this, you will need to gently guide them.
Using your hand or a soft brush, carefully scoop or nudge the bees back into the box. Move slowly and deliberately—there is no need to rush.
Keep in mind, the queen may be anywhere within these clusters, including on the outside of the box.
Working gently and methodically helps prevent missing her during the process.
The video below demonstrates this part of the process.
