Queen marking

[New Bee 2]

Apologies in advance if this has been asked before - but I was wondering what the alternatives are for queen marking. I currently use the std pens from Th**nes which are ok but seem to wear off in a couple of months. I'd rather only have to mark once and so I wondered if anyone had any suggestions. Thank you!

 

[oliver90owner]

are ok but seem to wear off in a couple of months.

OK? Are you sure? Seems about next to useless to me.

I use tippex if I mark. Yellow, so I can see her easily.

 

[REDWOOD]

Tippex only, not the cheap correction fluid you can buy as that tends to come off as well

 

[chrischris]

Tippex works well for me

 

[masterBK]

If tippex is OK why has the bottle got a skull and cross bones on it?

 

[Drinkstone]

Now there's a good point!

 

[tonybloke]

If tippex is OK why has the bottle got a skull and cross bones on it?

to warn humans not to drink it?

 

[oliver90owner]

why has the bottle got a skull and cross bones on it?

Is it a human skeletal marking or does it have a bees head and crossed antennae?

We apparently can tolerate some things that bees can't and vice versa. Examples that come to mind are HMF and neonicotinoids.

Probably there is a skull and crossbones on most paint cans.

 

[REDWOOD]

Is it a human skeletal marking or does it have a bees head and crossed antennae?

 

[Teemore]

I can vouch for the durability of the marks produced by "Uni Paint Markers - PX20" by Mitsubishi Pencils - they were recommended to me last year and work a lot better than their water based Uni Posco counterparts. I would suggest allowing the paint to dry before releasing the queens after marking as there is a bit of a smell from the marking paint but so far (touch wood) I don't seem to have had any queens balled or superceded after marking them with these pens. I only use white to mark my Queens and rely on written records and marks on the hives for the queen age.

 

[Luminos]

If tippex is OK why has the bottle got a skull and cross bones on it?

Not genuine Tippex. That's a pirated one...

 

[meidel]

Not genuine Tippex. That's a pirated one...

 

[New Bee 2]

Thanks for the great suggestions - I'll give them all a go and see what works best

 

[flemage]

I use the 'nail polish' type jars which thor*ns do they seem ok. i was worryed i mite squish her with a pen so went with the brush type applicator.

You do have to wait until fairly dry though i relased one to fast and she spread the colour over wings and head from the netting on the crown of thorns. She seems ok a few month later and i can find her really easly now but there is a bit of shame when i do see her coverd in yellow

 

[astabada]

We use water based paint and a thin brush, it's quite cheap and works pretty well.