virgin queen - what to do?

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Eva Kersey

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Nov 13, 2025, 3:53:02 PMNov 13
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Hello everyone, 

I treated a hive two weeks ago with formic pro, and in the post-treatment inspection saw that they have a brand new queen (there are no eggs or uncapped brood, and very little capped brood in the hive, and there were multiple opened queen cells). 

I'm wondering what to do given that it's so late in the year. Is there any chance she will mate and make it to spring, or is it better to combine this hive with my queen right hive? Or buy a mated queen? 

Thanks for your help!

Eva

Leslie Louie

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Nov 13, 2025, 3:59:11 PMNov 13
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It’s possible if there are enough clear warming days in the next 2 weeks. Given the current rain not a good sign. But others have had queens successfully mate as late as December.  I might give her 3-4 weeks and check for eggs/brood. 

Leslie
(she/her)


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Mimi Edwards

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Nov 13, 2025, 4:02:08 PMNov 13
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Last year 2 of my nucs successfully mated in Dec.  One was great, the other was super aggressive and had to be reQueened again in February but both hives did well this year.  Mimi 

Paula Breen

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Nov 13, 2025, 4:07:24 PMNov 13
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It will be a good experiment! I hope she pulls through. Even if she isn't the most well mated, it could be enough to get them to springtime.

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Gerald Przybylski

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Nov 13, 2025, 5:12:53 PMNov 13
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The queen has up to about 3 weeks post day-16 to get mated.  
Let's hope for a good weather window, and some hearty drones, and tolerant colonies that haven't kicked them out. 

Eva Kersey

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Nov 13, 2025, 6:44:40 PMNov 13
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Thank you all so much! I'm glad to hear that some of you have seen queens successfully mate this late in the year; I wasn't sure that was a possibility. 

I'll keep my fingers crossed for some warm and dry weather, and if it doesn't pan out I can combine the hives later. 

Christine Hyung-Oak Lee

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Nov 13, 2025, 9:09:09 PMNov 13
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My hives were still making drones as of last week. I suspect there are other hives that are making drones (predicted to be a warmer, drier winter than most). Hopefully she'll fly out this weekend (it's dry and supposed to be in the mid 60's)...and get mated enough to get your colony through winter. You'll probably want to replace her in the Spring.

Christine


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