Two Queens but no eggs

[Greg Peck]

I have a hive that has 2 queens in it. I would just let things go but neither of the queens are laying eggs. This hive was week upon spring inspection and I had thought it was queenless but then I found one queen and about an inch away another smaller queen. The smaller most likely the newer one, had a white thing hanging off her rear end I assume this is something left from a recent mating flight. (I think I read that somewhere). So for the past 2 weeks I have let things alone but now I think I need to take some type of action as there are no eggs (there are a few caped drones scattered around).

Should I remove the old queen so that the new one will start laying?

[Sean Kelly]

Kill em both and order a new one.

Sean Kelly

[mark]

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER kill a queen if you don't have to. she is a resource to start a nuc to boost a weak hive. especially when you see evidence of her having mated as you have.  it is not always as WE think it is. even with minimal equipment you can split the hive with a super of honey or nectar in between the two splits on the same stand and monitor them both further.

[Moonshae]

This may seem obvious, but are there open cells in which they could lay eggs? If you're pollen or nectar bound, the queens may not be able to lay anywhere.

[Michael Bush]

My bet is one failed, she was superseded and the supersedure queen isn't laying yet.  Once she does I'll bet the old queen will be disposed of by the bees.  A new queen takes two weeks to get mated and start laying.

[Greg Peck]

Thanks for the input. The hive has plenty of room, it went from being a 2 deep  to being nuc size. I took one deep away from them. I guess I will give the new queen a few more days to get her act together.

[Kathyp]

can you steal some capped brood from another hive to boost them until this queen does her thing?