Where is my Mating yard?

[targa97]

Hi all,
I tried a split last month, two weeks later I found a virgin queen in hive. But I can't find a queen/eggs yesterday. That is queenless now. I following "The Hopkins Method" to rearing others. http://www.bushfarms.com/beesqueenrearing.htm

Here is some questions:
That frame of eggs rearing queen is under plastic foundation. I don't think I can cut the queen cell before ready to hatch. (OR someone experienced can share me some idea). Then now I need a hardware cloth cage to separate others after hatch. What is the range of hardware cloth hole that allow nurse bee to feed queens, but not allow them kill queens? I bought a window screen made from aluminum with around 1/32" width hole. Is that too small?

My home's weather always windy after 1pm daily. I guess that contribute the failure rate of mating. There is beekeeping club's bee yard around 2 miles away. That bee yard is windy as well after 1pm daily. Or I can put mating nuc to my relative located in other city, that isn't that windy, but I not sure where the DCA at that city. I saw one/two dead bee in swimming pool last week.

If I got 10 hatched virgin queens, where I should put those for mate?
1. My windy house, 2 miles away from club hives?
2. Beekeeping club bee hive yard? windy also, but for sure DCA somewhere
3. My relative backyard, no wind and 10 deg F warmer than others, but not sure where is DCA.
4. Or divided in difference location if I have 10 virgin?

Thanks in advance.
Keith

[KQ6AR]

I read a post earlier I think it said #5 hardware cloth keeps the queen in but allows workers access. Some people make those cages out of queen excluder material.

Try searching hardware cloth. It was in the last couple weeks.

[odfrank]

It is California State law that all municipalities must have a DCA within city limits.

[targa97]

Not should be, but nice to have.

[Velbert]

use 1/8" hardware cloth can get at your hardware store

[Michael Bush]

>What is the range of hardware cloth hole that allow nurse bee to feed queens, but not allow them kill queens?

# 8 is best.

> I bought a window screen made from aluminum with around 1/32" width hole. Is that too small?

Yes.

>If I got 10 hatched virgin queens, where I should put those for mate?

I would leave them where ever is convenient for you or where ever you think you'll find the drones you want (feral survivors? Pure bloods?)

[BEES4U]

no wind and 10 deg F warmer than others,
There is your answer, no wind
Ernie

[targa97]

i found that virgin queen no longer virgin at AG 14. Eggs laid in frames. Checked AUG 20 found worker capped brood. So good!!!!
:D:applause: