What should beekeepers look for to assess queen health during hive inspections?

To assess queen health during hive inspections, beekeepers should focus on the presence of eggs, larvae, and the brood pattern. These indicators are crucial for determining whether the queen is actively laying eggs and how effectively she is contributing to the colony's population.

Healthy queens will consistently produce a good number of eggs, which should be positioned in a pattern that reflects a strong brood cycle. A solid brood pattern, with eggs and larvae at various stages of development, signifies that the queen is not only present but also performing her role effectively within the hive. Disruptions in this pattern could indicate issues such as queen health problems, insufficient resources, or stress in the colony.

While other factors like the queen's size and color can provide some context about her overall condition, they do not serve as reliable indicators of her performance and the colony's health. The number of worker bees and honey stores are also important, but they primarily reflect the hive's vitality and resource management rather than the direct health of the queen. Therefore, focusing on the brood, including eggs and larvae, gives the clearest insight into the queen's health and the colony's future prospects.