Introducing a queen
When you receive your new queen, place one drop of pure water on the outside of the screen of the cage so that the workers can use it to dissolve the candy. Repeat this every day if the cage is not in the hive. The caged queen can survive for several days outside of the hive, but the sooner she is introduced, the better. Keep the cage in a dark, sheltered place at room temperature. The Queen you have received is in a combined shipping & introduction cage. At one end of the cage there is a food compartment with sugar candy. Do remember to remove the plastic lock at the end of the cage before introducing the queen.
There are many methods of introduction. Below are the two simple processes we recommend for making up a nucleus and for re-queening an existing colony. Although they do not guarantee success, following these guidelines greatly reduces the chances of failure.
There are many methods of introduction. Below are the two simple processes we recommend for making up a nucleus and for re-queening an existing colony. Although they do not guarantee success, following these guidelines greatly reduces the chances of failure.
New Nucleus
Make up a nucleus
Make up a queenless nucleus colony at least 24hrs before introduction, using 3 frames of brood and 2 frames of food covered with bees. If possible use frames from different hives. Keep the nucleus in the same yard as the parent colonies so the older bees can fly back home.
Make up a queenless nucleus colony at least 24hrs before introduction, using 3 frames of brood and 2 frames of food covered with bees. If possible use frames from different hives. Keep the nucleus in the same yard as the parent colonies so the older bees can fly back home.
Re-check the nucleus is queenless
When you are ready to introduce the queen, check the nucleus is definitely queenless. There should be newly started queen cells which need to be removed.
When you are ready to introduce the queen, check the nucleus is definitely queenless. There should be newly started queen cells which need to be removed.
Release the workers from the cage
Partially open the queen cage inside a clear plastic bag. We advise doing this in a car or closed room. Remove the workers from the cage. If the queen comes out first, empty the cage and put her back in alone. Make sure you close the cage again once the queen is inside on her own. The workers should all be in the bag and can be released outside.
Partially open the queen cage inside a clear plastic bag. We advise doing this in a car or closed room. Remove the workers from the cage. If the queen comes out first, empty the cage and put her back in alone. Make sure you close the cage again once the queen is inside on her own. The workers should all be in the bag and can be released outside.
Place the queen cage in the nucleus
Break off the tab at the candy end of the cage and make a small hole through the candy. Go to the nucleus and place the cage, candy end down, at the top of the brood pattern on the middle frame of brood. Feed the nucleus and then close and leave it.
You can check the cage after five to six days to be sure she has been released. Do not look for the queen. If needed, look for eggs. The colony should not be disturbed for the next 8-9 days while the queen establishes her brood nest.
Break off the tab at the candy end of the cage and make a small hole through the candy. Go to the nucleus and place the cage, candy end down, at the top of the brood pattern on the middle frame of brood. Feed the nucleus and then close and leave it.
You can check the cage after five to six days to be sure she has been released. Do not look for the queen. If needed, look for eggs. The colony should not be disturbed for the next 8-9 days while the queen establishes her brood nest.
Existing Colony
Ensure colony is queenless
The receiving hive must be queenless and have no queen cells present. Go through the hive thoroughly checking for a queen and destroying queen cells.
The receiving hive must be queenless and have no queen cells present. Go through the hive thoroughly checking for a queen and destroying queen cells.
Release workers
Partially open the queen cage inside a clear plastic bag. We advise doing this in a car or closed room. Remove the workers from the cage. If the queen comes out first, empty the cage and put her back in alone. Make sure you close the cage again once the queen is inside on her own. The workers should all be in the bag and can be released outside.
Partially open the queen cage inside a clear plastic bag. We advise doing this in a car or closed room. Remove the workers from the cage. If the queen comes out first, empty the cage and put her back in alone. Make sure you close the cage again once the queen is inside on her own. The workers should all be in the bag and can be released outside.
Suspend Unopened cage between brood frames
Without opening the plastic tab over the candy suspend the queen cage candy end down between 2 frames of brood in the centre of the brood nest. Leave her there for 24 hours giving the bees time to become accustomed to her presence.
Without opening the plastic tab over the candy suspend the queen cage candy end down between 2 frames of brood in the centre of the brood nest. Leave her there for 24 hours giving the bees time to become accustomed to her presence.
Open cage and place back in position
Return 24 hours later, retrieve the cage, break off the tab at the candy end and make a small hole through the candy with a thin piece of straw or a cocktail stick. Place the cage, candy end down in the original position the bees in your colony will chew through the candy and release the new Queen.
You can check the cage after five to six days to be sure she has been released. Do not look for the queen. If needed, look for eggs. The colony should not be disturbed for the next 8-9 days while the queen establishes her brood nest.
Return 24 hours later, retrieve the cage, break off the tab at the candy end and make a small hole through the candy with a thin piece of straw or a cocktail stick. Place the cage, candy end down in the original position the bees in your colony will chew through the candy and release the new Queen.
You can check the cage after five to six days to be sure she has been released. Do not look for the queen. If needed, look for eggs. The colony should not be disturbed for the next 8-9 days while the queen establishes her brood nest.
