# Missing Queen - Do a replace? **URL:** \ **Category:** Beekeeping - Basics\ **Created:** [January 8, 2018, 4:09am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/missing-queen-do-a-replace/13814 "2018-01-08T04:09:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dan\_Clifton](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dan_clifton/32/12790_2.png) [@Dan\_Clifton](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dan_Clifton)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2018, 4:09am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/missing-queen-do-a-replace/13814/1 "2018-01-08T04:09:42Z")
Just before Christmas (about 15 Dec) I had a swarm from my single new hive (newbie who started hive in Oct 2017). I checked the hive on 17 December and found some active queen cells, lots of brood and eggs and still plenty of workers in my brood box. I then was away for 3 weeks over Christmas. I returned yesterday (7 Jan) and quickly checked my bees. Very concerned to find no capped brood or eggs - I was unable to locate a queen (but no very good at finding her). The bees were not at all aggressive and there is still good numbers of workers over the frames. I have only one hive and no access to more frames with eggs and brood. Should I look at ordering a new queen or is there a chance that I have a new queen and she is just not laying yet? ---
**Author:** ![JeffH](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/jeffh/32/7192_2.png) [@JeffH](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/JeffH)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2018, 7:30am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/missing-queen-do-a-replace/13814/2 "2018-01-08T07:30:05Z")
Hi Dan, I would give it another week. In the mean time, see if you can line up a frame of brood or two from a nearby beekeeper. ---
**Author:** ![Dee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dee/32/5840_2.png) [@Dee](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dee)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2018, 8:06am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/missing-queen-do-a-replace/13814/3 "2018-01-08T08:06:08Z")
Three weeks from swarming to new laying queen is what you get in absolutely ideal situations. You have plenty of time still. If the colony is good tempered then I bet there is a queen in there. ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Clifton](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dan_clifton/32/12790_2.png) [@Dan\_Clifton](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dan_Clifton)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2018, 10:21am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/missing-queen-do-a-replace/13814/4 "2018-01-08T10:21:20Z")
Awesome. Thank you both. Will sit tight and have another look in a week or so. In the mean time will investigate some new brood frames. Think a second hive for next year will be a good investment. ---
**Author:** ![Semaphore](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/semaphore/32/14994_2.png) [@Semaphore](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Semaphore)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 10:20am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/missing-queen-do-a-replace/13814/5 "2018-01-09T10:20:01Z")
I’ve just gone through a similar situation and just when I’d given up on seeing signs of the queen- wham: tiny eggs suddenly appeared! If you don’t see any in a week or two if you can give them a frame with eggs and brood from another hive that will boost numbers and give them another chance to make a queen. My queenless hives tended to have lots of nectar and pollen so it’s a good deal for both hives if you just swap frames from one to the other- the hive that loses brood gets a big feast. Edit: I only just noticed where you said you only have access to one hive… **That’s** why you need at least two hives! But seriously- is there anyone you know near enough with a hive that may be able to donate a frame to you? It would be good to try and make a local connection if you can. Recently I was considering buying a queen and where I am it is not so easy. I rang several interstate breeders but none had any queens handy just then. And this is a good time of year- later in the season it gets harder and harder. ---
**Author:** ![Dee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dee/32/5840_2.png) [@Dee](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dee)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2018, 1:52pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/missing-queen-do-a-replace/13814/6 "2018-01-09T13:52:52Z")
> [@Semaphore](#): > > If you don’t see any in a week or two if you can give them a frame with eggs and brood from another hive that will boost numbers and Such a frame will act as a test frame too and tell you whether there is a queen in there. ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Clifton](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/dan_clifton/32/12790_2.png) [@Dan\_Clifton](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/Dan_Clifton)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2018, 11:32pm UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/missing-queen-do-a-replace/13814/7 "2018-01-27T23:32:16Z")
Ok update time. I did manage to find a bee keeper willing to give me a couple of frames of brood and eggs. Then had to go off for a couple of weeks. On my return I inspected my hive yesterday. Found fresh brood and a strong hive. Lessons learnt: 1. Be patient. Things take time (life lesson for me). 2. Keep local networks strong. 3. Get a second hive for next season. Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![JeffH](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.honeyflow.com/jeffh/32/7192_2.png) [@JeffH](https://forum.honeyflow.com/u/JeffH)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 1:03am UTC](https://forum.honeyflow.com/t/missing-queen-do-a-replace/13814/8 "2018-01-28T01:03:11Z")
G’day Dan, you are most welcome. That’s a great result. There’s nothing like learning lessons for yourself.