View Full Version : Introduction of virgins
Due to a stressful turn of events (partner AWOL and forklift breakdown) I have some queen cells that are emerging in the in-hive incubator cellblocks referred to on this site. My question is about introduction of virgins. Can they be directly released to queenless mating nucs? What kind of acceptance rate can be expected? I normally introduce queen cells to mating nucs, but I would hate to see these beautiful cells go to waste. Any tips or suggestions would be great.
JBJ
Michael Bush
04-10-2006, 03:12 PM
I haven't tried it, but Dee Lusby actually introduces them to hives with the old queen still there by just smoking heavily and letting her go. A similar approach might work for a mating nuc. A little smoke and a release.
Chef Isaac
04-10-2006, 08:51 PM
JBJ: Need help grafting? I could take some time off work
Finman
04-11-2006, 12:29 AM
When you give new emerged queen, bees take it but after couple of days queen is gone. Rate is very bad. I have tried it too much. Smoke do not help.
If you give the cell and let it emerge in the nuc, result is better. But cell must be in the cage. Bees tear often the cell if you give it just so.
It depends from where you have done nucs.
There are alot missfortunes with to give emerged queen. That it why I now split whole cell rising hive into nucs. Queen cells are their own and so they accept them all.
When nuc has emerge cells and when cells are capped bees accept new queen ery well. If queen cells are open they resist foreign queen.
chillardbee
04-11-2006, 03:41 PM
i've introduced caged virgins successfully in nucs that i made for them. i first put the cage in same day i made nuc then wait three days and cull any cells, then three days later release her, in my case they had already chewed through the cork and about a week later she had milkys already. if necessary it can be done, but i'd rather introduce cells.
Me to, they are much easier to catch! At this point there is a quantity of frisky, large, and well tended to virgins that I think I will try to get mated. I think it would be a waste to not use them and if they don't take then I will follow up with the next batch of cells.
JBJ