Beekeeping > Beekeeping 101

Testing for Acceptance Before Requeening

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MudSongs:
This is how I've come to test a queenless colony before I install a mated queen.  I'm sure most experienced beekeepers know this little trick very well.  I'm not trying to promote my beekeeping blog (I don't make a dime off it).  I just thought it might be helpful to anyone just starting out.

tecumseh:
nice video.... a beekeeper in Austin Texas produced a similar video... he works pretty closely with my friends at BWeaver....  I see If I can locate his video...

Bakersdozen:
Nice video, Mudsongs.  For the benefit of beginners, I would add that you place the screened side of the queen cage facing so the workers, in the queenless colony, can reach her and take care of her.  Other wise, that is pretty much how I do it. 

MudSongs:
"I would add that you place the screened side of the queen cage facing so the workers..."

Good point.  The screen side is facing the workers in the video, but I don't mention that in the video.

I'm making this little test a standard procedure for myself now.  I had trouble requeening with some Russian queens a few years ago.  I think I  had four mated Russian queens, and all but one of them were killed in the cage.  Apparently this is not uncommon in Russian queens, especially if the queenless colony isn't of Russian stock.

This simple test of seeing how the bees react to the queen in her cage may have saved me some trouble.  I'm not sure there's any foolproof method of ensuring a mated queen is accepted, but I think this little method doesn't hurt.

Mikey N.C.:
Good video, did that this year, use to just put cage in and look5 days later. This way you know.

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