Loading queen introduction cages

[Sutty]

Did this for the 2nd time recently, Q went in first, then 1 attendant at a time, trying not to let Q out, got stung by a couple of attendants so likely to die. Had the rigmarole of putting one in whilst letting 2 out!
Anyone got any tips?

 

[Sutty]

No-one?

 

[Swarm]

Keep calm and carry on?

 

[madasafish]

I keep a thumb over entrance when picking up another bee..
Load Q first.
Never been stung doing that (lots of other times tho!)

 

[Sutty]

I keep a thumb over entrance when picking up another bee..
Load Q first.
Never been stung doing that (lots of other times tho!)

I think I'm not always getting hold of both wings. Did it in my kitchen picking the workers off the windows.

 

[rolande]

Holding the cage upright so that the opening is at the bottom helps, the queen and workers tend to walk upwards away from the door; as madasafish said, thumb over the door between loading individual bees.

 

[Sutty]

Holding the cage upright so that the opening is at the bottom helps, the queen and workers tend to walk upwards away from the door; as madasafish said, thumb over the door between loading individual bees.

Upwards, that's a good point, thank you!

 

[madasafish]

I think I'm not always getting hold of both wings. Did it in my kitchen picking the workers off the windows.

Always approach wings from the rear..I find it easier.

 

[Sutty]

Always approach wings from the rear..I find it easier.

Thanks.
I knew there would be some tips if I pushed for it

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

quick spray of water on the workers will slow them down for a while
But you should as an expert like @Michael Palmer

 

[Michael Palmer]

quick spray of water on the workers will slow them down for a while
But you should as an expert like @Michael Palmer

Practice makes perfect. My help brings me the comb with the new queen.
I catch, mark, cage, and add attendants. One thing...it's easier to pick up attendants
from a flat surface...such as a comb of bees flat down. Or...I dump bees from mating nuc combs
onto my table. The bees wings are always in position for easy pick up.

https://www.frenchhillapiaries.com/videos/2019/1/18/queen-marking

 

[Sutty]

Practice makes perfect. My help brings me the comb with the new queen.
I catch, mark, cage, and add attendants. One thing...it's easier to pick up attendants
from a flat surface...such as a comb of bees flat down. Or...I dump bees from mating nuc combs
onto my table. The bees wings are always in position for easy pick up.

https://www.frenchhillapiaries.com/videos/2019/1/18/queen-marking

Thanks

 

[SWEET]

Anyone got any tips?

CO2 - quick/simple