How can you tell if a queen is present in a hive?

The presence of eggs and larvae in the brood frames is a strong indicator that a queen is present in the hive. A queen is responsible for laying eggs, and her presence directly correlates with the brood development within the colony. When a queen is actively laying eggs, you will find freshly laid eggs, as well as developing larvae at various stages in the brood frames. This not only confirms her existence but also indicates that the colony is healthy and functioning properly.

In contrast, while the presence of honey and pollen might suggest that the colony is foraging well, it does not provide conclusive evidence of the queen's presence. Worker activity can vary for many reasons, and a high drone population can occur even in the absence of a healthy queen due to specific seasonal dynamics. Therefore, monitoring the brood frames for eggs and larvae is the most definitive method for determining whether a queen is present.