Queen introduction

[bjosephd]

I have a queen arriving tomorrow.

My current plan is:

I have a demaree'd box on top of of a strong hive... it is now all sealed brood and polished up cells (after a battle knocking down the supercedure cells that demaree cause) and in the frame corners stores and pollen like you get around a brood nest. So... ready to go.

Thought I'd take that top box off in the morning, put it on a new floor, and introduce the queen to that box later that afternoon when they have been queenless for a few hours.

Then she can hit the floor running.

Simples.


Thoughts?

(I'm sssuming she comes with a fondant plugged introduction cage... not keen to manhandle her into a push in cage)

 

[colinc]

Someone will be along to advise shortly but I wish you the very best of luck as I have been following your recent trials.

Hope it all goes well


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[jeff33]

You don't need to prepare the top box too much in advance as they already think they're Q-. Queen will come in an introduction cage with fondant. Put the cage in between 2 frames at the centre of the brood nest without removing the safety caps. Leave for 2 days, see how they respond then remove the safety cap if they are not balling the cage and they will eat away the fondant and release her. If they look angry repeat for a day or two then remove the cap.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

No need to hang around - they're basically queenless already. But make sure the candu plug is protected and be in no hurry to uncover it, make sure it's a few days between putting the queen in with the bees and uncovering the plug.
Especially as in this case you will have mostly nurse bees in there it's worth putting on a feeder with a few pints of 1:1, they seem to accept a queen easier if they think there's a flow on.
Don't bother removing the attendant bees either.

 

[Swarm]

No need to hang around - they're basically queenless already.
Don't bother removing the attendant bees either.

 

[bjosephd]

Is this bit with the black on it the safety cap/plug.

So in for 2 days then leaver out the black marker pen'd bit?

Correcto?

 

[bjosephd]

And I assume with that bit hanging downwards.

 

[dn170221]

Yes, use your hive tool or the like to take it off when you are sure they are happy with her, that bit down. there should be a loop at the top to suspend it with, don't use string as they will chew that up and throw away, a twig or cocktail stick to suspend it would do.
Leave for a week after taking the tab off.

 

[Finman]

Leave for a week after taking the tab off.

Look after 2 days, what is happening. The Queen cannot be on cage 2 weeks. One week in post and second in cage.

 

[bjosephd]

I used the hook/loop to pin it very securely to the top bars.

It is laying on top of the bars with an slim eke.

They seemed curious with her smell.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Cocktail stick for me.
I leave mine for five days. It's ok finman she is posted the day before I get her. She could have been banked I suppose.

 

[colinc]

I used the hook/loop to pin it very securely to the top bars.

It is laying on top of the bars with an slim eke.

They seemed curious with her smell.

Half way there. Fingers crossed for you here.


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[bjosephd]

Cocktail stick for me.

I leave mine for five days. It's ok finman she is posted the day before I get her. She could have been banked I suppose.

That's right Erichalfbee... she was shipped to me from a whopping 47 miles away south of me. Bred by a maker of hives named Peter.

She was shipped yesterday before 2pm and arrived this morning before midday.

She came in a yellow queen cage, with a yellow dot on her back, and I imagine she and her offspring will be somewhat yellow.

Exciting times.

Got some good genes in the area now!

(p.s. Are you saying you take the fondant 'guard' out after 5 days?)

Also, when I look in 2 (or 5) days... what behaviour around the cage am I looking for to be 'good' behaviour?

BJD

 

[Erichalfbee]

somewhat yellow.

Exciting times.

Got some good genes in the area now!

An Exmoor bee

 

[bjosephd]

An Exmoor bee

Sherlock

 

[B+.]

Then she can hit the floor running.

Simples.


Thoughts?

If she's spent any length of time in transit, she'll have slimmed down and won't be in laying condition. IMHO, its better to use a push-in cage where she can feed herself and the bees can gradually get used to her. Travelling cages don't allow the queen contact with the comb so she can't lay eggs.

 

[Erichalfbee]

This to me sounds the best way BUT.........I would not be confident in picking a queen up and putting her in one......perhaps I could practice on drones
Have you a video Paul?

 

[bjosephd]

This to me sounds the best way BUT.........I would not be confident in picking a queen up and putting her in one......perhaps I could practice on drones

Have you a video Paul?

The mighty mike palmer has a youtube video of his use of a push in cage.

But I, like you erica, an reluctant to manhandle my first purchased ££ queen.

But from watching the video, yes, it looks like the most sensible way to introduce a queen.

Don't worry B+, when I finally have one of your cuddly carnies I'll use a push in cage!

BJD

 

[B+.]

This to me sounds the best way BUT.........I would not be confident in picking a queen up and putting her in one......perhaps I could practice on drones
Have you a video Paul?

I think Mike Palmer has a few on his YouTube channel. I pick virgins up laterally by the thorax (so there is no risk of damaging her wings or legs). Its easier if you catch them from behind.

You could use a clear plastic bag to get the accompanying workers out of the cage, then you only have the queen in the travelling cage. Then, it is easier to do. If you're nervous about it, brush the bees off the comb and do it indoors where she can't fly far (or inside a car at an out-apiary)

 

[bjosephd]

I think Mike Palmer has a few on his YouTube channel. I pick virgins up laterally by the thorax (so there is no risk of damaging her wings or legs). Its easier if you catch them from behind

I'm sure I've seen people (Mike) talk about how queen shave special 'handles' (wings).

Either way, until I have less stingy stock, the gloves are staying on!

I guess if I take my frame and push in cage back to the conservatory then I'd be safe.