What indicates the hive of a failing queen?

A scattered brood pattern and few eggs are clear indicators of a failing queen. When a queen is healthy and performing well, she lays a consistent and reliable pattern of eggs, leading to a strong and organized brood pattern. In contrast, if the queen is failing, the brood may appear scattered or patchy, and there will be a noticeable decrease in the number of eggs being laid. This reduced reproductive activity reflects the queen’s inability to sustain a healthy population of bees, resulting in a weaker colony over time.

This understanding helps beekeepers monitor hive health and make appropriate management decisions, such as considering requeening the hive to introduce a new, healthy queen that can improve productivity and colony strength.