laying workers

[ty1on]

I picked up 2 hives from brushy and both of them went queenless after the introduction of the queen.  i ordered 2 cordovian queens($95 with shipping) and they were also not accepted by the hive.  I don't understand why a hive will decide to keep a laying worker and kill a mated queen ready to lay.  Any insight will be welcome.

[kathyp]

1st, why do you think they have laying workers?  next, the reason they will kill the queen is because they think they have one with the laying workers. 

this subject has been discussed recently so if you do a search many of your questions may be answered.  if not, ask away.

[AllenF]

Give us more info.   How long have you had the hives?   Hives, nucs, or packages?  New foundation, drawn foundation or no foundation?   How are you introducing the queens?   Where did you buy the queens paying that much for them? 

[Michael Bush]

>I don't understand why a hive will decide to keep a laying worker and kill a mated queen ready to lay.

And I would have expected exactly that outcome.  It's what laying worker hives do.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslayingworkers.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beespanacea.htm

[caticind]

Also, please explain how you concluded that your nucs were queenless.  That will help us get back to the origin of the problem.