Clipping a Queen's wings with gloves on.

[beeno]

Remember to only clip one wing, unlike somebody I know

Hi Redwood and others,
Well, this is an interesting point for queen clipping. I take it that you are referring to that if you clip both wings then the bees will recognise that they have got a damaged queen that will not be able to swarm and will supercede her? Is there any scientific research that points to clipped wings two or one for that matter leading to early supercedure?

 

[Finman]

Hi Redwood and others,
Well, this is an interesting point for queen clipping. I take it that you are referring to that if you clip both wings

If you clip boath wings, the queen is able to fly short distances. Its flying is in balance.
Clip only 1/3 from tip.

 

[BeeJayBee]

More likely that with only one wing clipped she will find it hard to fly any distance.

 

[Finman]

More likely that with only one wing clipped she will find it hard to fly any distance.

Clipped Queen is able only to run, and the swarm does not mind about the queen which cannot fly. It will not follow the queen. Swarming = to move to another place will not succeed with such queen.

 

[Apple]

Clipped Queen is able only to run, and the swarm does not mind about the queen which cannot fly. It will not follow the queen. Swarming = to move to another place will not succeed with such queen.

Some seasons ago I had a swarm with a clipped queen, went into an empty hive some few meters to the right, she could obviously fly, but not far.
Gloves are off!




James

 

[beeno]

Hi Redwood and others,
Well, this is an interesting point for queen clipping. I take it that you are referring to that if you clip both wings then the bees will recognise that they have got a damaged queen that will not be able to swarm and will supercede her? Is there any scientific research that points to clipped wings two or one for that matter leading to early supercedure?

Hi, I have answered my own query in that all the research cannot find a link between clipping and early supercedure. It seems to be another beekeepers' myth!

 

[Madge]

As the season of goodwill is almost over ill stick my oar in, learn to pick the queen up or admit you're not very accomplished at beekeeping and stop pontificating, it's like watching cripples fight.

Ouch. You as well! I answered a question - that's not pontificating. I don't clip wings; and I can pick up a queen.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I can pick up a queen.

My brother's pretty proficient at that as well - bet mam rues the day she let him play with dollies when we were nippers.

 

[mbc]

Ouch. You as well! I answered a question - that's not pontificating. I don't clip wings; and I can pick up a queen.

I aimed my critique at no-one in particular, just anyone trying to avoid handling queens by using gadgets, ba humbug!
Well done for being able to pick up a queen, it's elementary.

 

[BeeJayBee]

More likely that with only one wing clipped she will find it hard to fly any distance.

Clipped Queen is able only to run, and the swarm does not mind about the queen which cannot fly. It will not follow the queen. Swarming = to move to another place will not succeed with such queen.

Yes, that's what I was hinting at, but we posted our earlier comments at just about the same time, which is why I hadn't seen yours.

 

[beeno]

I guess, if you are not too quick to go in then you will be left with nurse bees and the queen, neither of whom stings. Also, some beeks say: if you shake a frame the queen will hang on, others the opposite she will fall off. Be handy to know the most likely outcome whilst I am on the subject of beekeeper myths.

 

[Thymallus]

Its nearly all myth ...... Differences in types of bees kept, handling of frames, mood of bees, repeating someone else's experience third hand, how hard you shake frames, opinions etc etc. Best thing I've found is to listen to as much advice as you can, don't totally ignore it but don't believe it all. Then see what agrees with your own actual experience. Build up frame work of who is giving good advice and who isn't. Again don't believe everything you are told but listen and see how it fits in with your own experience, but at least you get a feeling for who is giving sound advice........
In the case of believing advice or not..... guess this would apply to this post as well

 

[midnight sun]

As the season of goodwill is almost over ill stick my oar in, learn to pick the queen up or admit you're not very accomplished at beekeeping and stop pontificating, it's like watching cripples fight.

Just two points:
1) Have been picking up the Queen and marking and clipping since starting keeping bees. I ended up with nerve damage, so till the NHS sort out the problem, the result of trying that method would be a crushed Queen! Not a smart thing to do. So till things improve it's mechanical means instead. Probably not the only one, so hence my attempt to help with my 2d's worth.

2) 2015 and you fall back on "cripple" jokes? Dear me, I'd expect better from you, based on your previous banter. 3/10 (and you only get the 3 'cos you've made me laugh in the past).
C2H5OH

 

[mbc]

Just two points:
1) Have been picking up the Queen and marking and clipping since starting keeping bees. I ended up with nerve damage, so till the NHS sort out the problem, the result of trying that method would be a crushed Queen! Not a smart thing to do. So till things improve it's mechanical means instead. Probably not the only one, so hence my attempt to help with my 2d's worth.

2) 2015 and you fall back on "cripple" jokes? Dear me, I'd expect better from you, based on your previous banter. 3/10 (and you only get the 3 'cos you've made me laugh in the past).
C2H5OH

Fair enough.
FWIW if your dexterity is impaired beyond picking queens up then I don't think operating gadgets round the queen is a good idea, it's a level of control further removed rather than gained imho, and crown of thorns devices are quite severe on the queen for marking, let alone holding them firmly enough to confidently manipulate scissors round their wings. I stick to thinking gadgets for holding queens for this sort of manipulation are for those too craven to take their gloves off (or wear gloves sufficiently thin to allow enough feeling).
I don't wish to cause offence, but it's my genuine opinion that if a beekeeper goes into a colony with the intention of marking or clipping a queen, they would become better beekeepers if they are prepared to handle the queen(this could be done by wearing thin gloves under gauntlets or by taking the queen away from the hive to a safe place to do it- inherent risks involved with this too-) if for reasons out of their control they don't posses the dexterity to do this, get help, practice on drones till they can, or don't set out to do it.

 

[midnight sun]

Fair enough.
FWIW if your dexterity is impaired beyond picking queens up then I don't think operating gadgets round the queen is a good idea, it's a level of control further removed rather than gained imho, and crown of thorns devices are quite severe on the queen for marking, let alone holding them firmly enough to confidently manipulate scissors round their wings. I stick to thinking gadgets for holding queens for this sort of manipulation are for those too craven to take their gloves off (or wear gloves sufficiently thin to allow enough feeling).
I don't wish to cause offence, but it's my genuine opinion that if a beekeeper goes into a colony with the intention of marking or clipping a queen, they would become better beekeepers if they are prepared to handle the queen(this could be done by wearing thin gloves under gauntlets or by taking the queen away from the hive to a safe place to do it- inherent risks involved with this too-) if for reasons out of their control they don't posses the dexterity to do this, get help, practice on drones till they can, or don't set out to do it.

Fair comment MBC. I take on board what you have said. With a bit of luck the hand will be back to its former state soon and I can get back to handling with confidence.
No offence taken, you have your ways and I value your knowledge (and humour).
Regards Dave

 

[Hivemaker.]

Fair comment MBC. I take on board what you have said. With a bit of luck the hand will be back to its former state soon and I can get back to handling with confidence.

Dave, mbc started a thread here about some exercises that may help to improve your hand co-ordination. http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=32324

 

[Finman]

.
When the queen walks on the comb, it is simple to take its boath wings between fingers.

Then move one side legs between another hand's fingers and clip the wing. ..So that queen cannot twist its legs broken.

 

[Michael Palmer]

There's a nice fatty.

 

[midnight sun]

Dave, mbc started a thread here about some exercises that may help to improve your hand co-ordination. http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=32324

Thanks for the shortcut hivemaker, very useful and already down to 2 1/2 stones. I feel better already! Fading....fast.... farewell cruel world....

 

[midnight sun]

QUOTE=Finman;455672].
When the queen walks on the comb, it is simple to take its boath wings between fingers.

Then move one side legs between another hand's fingers and clip the wing. ..So that queen cannot twist its legs broken.

[/QUOTE]

Thanks Finman, after Hivemakers advice still have one hand to practice!