swarm queens

[Buzzen]

Everything I have read on swarming tells me the old queen goes with the swarm and the new queen is raised for the original hive. Is this correct?  That would lead me to believe that when i catch a swarm, I am getting an older queen which may be superceded soon.  My question for those who catch swarms is-- In your experience, how long does the swarm queen usually last before she is superceded??

[iddee]

First, realize that a hive may swarm more than one time a year. Only the first swarm has an old queen. Subsequent swarms may have virgin, or newly mated queens.

[Buzzen]

This is true, I didn't think of that. So with a swarm you might be good for 2 or 3 years with that queen.

[iddee]

Correct.