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I heard every two years is about the average span for a good queen. After that, the bees notice she is old and not producing and replace her.

So what do the master beekeepers do? Replace the queen every two years? Let the hive make a new one when they are ready?

So far, my letting them perform the nature way looks to be around 60% successful with a 40% failure rate.

Comments from the pro beekeepers' are appreciated.

While waiting for the pros, I'll stick my .02 in.

If you are working for max honey production and max profit, requeen every two years. If you are in it for fun and don't try for every lb. of honey, then requeen when you want to change strains of bee or have a poor genetics hive. Otherwise, let them raise their own.

As most of the beekeepers at the meeting laughed about the questions of making a profit a couple months back, that would be me. In the RED is me. Thanks again Wally, to date your advice has been very sound.