Sorry about the equipment answer, I guess I was thinking of the age of the workers (3 months) and the age of the queen (2-3 years) making a colony 3 years at most. :buttkick:
I have had hives on a single stand last 3 years to about 17 years. Some have swarmed and several were re-queened by my choice some by theirs. I hope this is what you were looking for. -Mike