Old Queens & Old Frames

摘要

Question: "Should I requeen every two years?" Answer: "Well, yes and no."This common subject came up again during some short email interactions a few weeks ago. At first glance, and from the perspective of an established beekeeper, yep...you should requeen every two years. Next question? But wait. There's more to it than that. Beekeeping life was simpler a few decades ago. Beekeepers were given clear instructions such as: requeen every two years, avoid pesticides, treat with Terramycin for American foulbrood prevention, don't let the moths take over, and get your supers on before the nectar flow begins-just pretty much traditional beekeeping. Well, as usual, things change - maybe due to mites and maybe not - but for whatever reason, some of the basic rules of beekeeping are changing. So, should you requeen every year? Well, yes and no.