What should be removed before introducing a new queen into the hive?

Before introducing a new queen into the hive, it is essential to remove the old queen. This step is crucial because the presence of an existing queen can lead to conflict between her and the new queen. If both queens are present, the hive may not accept the new queen due to established pheromone signals and the workers may not cooperate during the introduction phase.

Removing the old queen allows the colony to focus on accepting the new queen, as the workers will have a single queen to support. This helps in establishing the new queen's dominance and integrating her seamlessly into the hive. It is important for beekeepers to ensure that the transition is smooth to maintain colony health and productivity.