Queen still in introduction Cage

[snelgrove]

I introduced a queen in a cage plugged with candy to a 5 comb nuc, after about 7 days I inspected and found the queen still in cage and only a slight attempt to eat candy. the queen was very large and bees feeding here through cage. I therefore released her among bees which she appeared unmolested. Any ideas as to y they didn't release and is she likely to be accepted. Apart from lighting the smoker, I find queen introduction the hardest part of beekeeping

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Candy probably too hard

 

[snelgrove]

Candy probably too hard

Not sure seemed fairly soft, I thought of that at the time and poked it

 

[REDWOOD]

Dead attendant blocking the plug ?

 

[snelgrove]

Dead attendant blocking the plug ?

there weren't any attendants, queen was alone in cage

 

[jonnybeegood]

there weren't any attendants, queen was alone in cage

Did you put a nail through the candy to make a small hole? Worked for me.

 

[snelgrove]

Did you put a nail through the candy to make a small hole? Worked for me.

no I didn't, on reflection I think that hard candy is the most likely cause x

 

[beepeaceful]

The same happened to a queen I introduced last year. No harm was done she performed well last year and looking good this year.