Is this Queen acceptance or rejection behavior?

**busyasabee** · 02-19-2011, 08:10 PM

I'm trying to introduce a new queen to a nuc (the nuc developed a queen cell which i killed yesterday). I placed the queen cage on the bars and the bees gathered around it. I'm not sure whether or not they're trying to kill her or love her. I haven't taken out the cork on either side. Any ideas?

http://youtu.be/Y4QkNuC-AqA

**yamahawg** · 02-19-2011, 08:52 PM

Well for my 2 cents, i'd say they weren't looking aggressive. But since iv'e not done this yet myself, might not count for much lol. Started my 2 hives last year from nucs with queens already doin theyr'e thing. My question would be though, how long was this video took after you put the new queen in? I plan on making some splits this spring and buying some locally produced queens, so curious. And how long had it been since you cut out the queen cell?

**busyasabee** · 02-19-2011, 09:02 PM

the video was taken as soon as i placed the cage. the bees started gathering around her right when I let it there.
It was 24 hours after i cut out the queen cell.

**yamahawg** · 02-19-2011, 09:36 PM

Well, from what I know, not from experience mind you, but it looks normal to me after being 24 hrs without a queen. I would have left corked for 24hrs, then removed cork on candy end.

**honeybeekeeper** · 02-19-2011, 10:15 PM

I do believe they like the queen! Do you see where the one bee is fanning its wings??? Its fanning the pheromone smell from the new queen! If they are not biting the wire and are actually licking the cage, then i would take off the cork, carefully pock a hole with a nail through the candy and set the queen cage properly in the hive! Good Luck!