Its shortly going to be the time of year when people start asking if you have any spare queens.
Lots of bits and bobs dotted about the Forum but no dedicated thread on introducing queens yet to date.
Interesting BBKA article by Rudy Repka in May BBKA mag who advises a quick water dip of the new queen and then direct introduction into the recently 93-24hrs) made queenless hive. Also seen a video on similar method but dunking the queen entirely in honey before direct introduction, never tried either but should do. Anybody else do / done it? What is your preferred method and have you tried other novel ways?
My starter:
The various introduction cages, including Ye Olde Faithful Butler or hair roller cage with newspaper /candy over the end. The one I generally do. Two layers of newspaper carried on about a third up the cage to give the queen somewhere to shelter if needed.
The tried and tested introduction to a made up nucleus and then transfer to queenless part (bit laborious but safe option) or indeed the same with a mini-nuc using the newspaper unite method within a spare brood chamber.
Push in cages or cloches that hold the queen in against sealed and emerging brood before candy or beekeeper release.
The LASI direct introduction with lots and lots of smoke via the entrance. Like the honey / water dip, an attractively unfussy idea.
What is your experience of doing any of these and or other methods? There must be somebody who used a matchbox or paper bag surely?
I tried a Zippo but it didn't work out well.
Lots of bits and bobs dotted about the Forum but no dedicated thread on introducing queens yet to date.
Interesting BBKA article by Rudy Repka in May BBKA mag who advises a quick water dip of the new queen and then direct introduction into the recently 93-24hrs) made queenless hive. Also seen a video on similar method but dunking the queen entirely in honey before direct introduction, never tried either but should do. Anybody else do / done it? What is your preferred method and have you tried other novel ways?
My starter:
The various introduction cages, including Ye Olde Faithful Butler or hair roller cage with newspaper /candy over the end. The one I generally do. Two layers of newspaper carried on about a third up the cage to give the queen somewhere to shelter if needed.
The tried and tested introduction to a made up nucleus and then transfer to queenless part (bit laborious but safe option) or indeed the same with a mini-nuc using the newspaper unite method within a spare brood chamber.
Push in cages or cloches that hold the queen in against sealed and emerging brood before candy or beekeeper release.
The LASI direct introduction with lots and lots of smoke via the entrance. Like the honey / water dip, an attractively unfussy idea.
What is your experience of doing any of these and or other methods? There must be somebody who used a matchbox or paper bag surely?
I tried a Zippo but it didn't work out well.