How can a beekeeper identify a laying queen in the hive?

Identifying a laying queen in the hive is primarily done by observing eggs in the cells. When a queen is actively laying, you will find her eggs in the brood frames, which are located in the center of the hive. The presence of these eggs is a direct indication that the queen is present and healthy, as she must be active for the colony to grow and thrive.

While the queen is indeed larger than the worker bees, simply noting her size is not a reliable method of identification since the size difference may not be easily seen in the context of the hive. Unique coloring can vary from one queen to another and is not a definitive characteristic to rely upon, as queens can share similar appearances, and coloring may not be easily distinguishable in certain lighting conditions. The behavior of clustering does not specifically indicate the presence of a laying queen either; for instance, bees often cluster for various reasons unrelated to the queen's laying status. Thus, observing eggs serves as the most reliable and clear method for determining if a queen is laying within the hive.