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Queen Marking

7K views 14 replies 9 participants last post by  Michael Palmer 
#1 ·
Recently I have marked one of my queens using a paint marker. But unfortunately, some paint has covered the joint of the wing and body. So will that affect my queen’s productivity? Shall I replace it with another new healthier queen??!!
 
#5 ·
Most likely she'll be fine. You can get paint just about anywhere on her except her head and antennae. Paint an antenna, and forget about it.

I never really liked those queen marking pens. Too clumsy and finicky for me. I'd rather use Testor's model paint...they have really bright colors, it's easy to use, and a $2 bottle will last forever.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff61/frenchhill/scan0001-3.jpg

Don't bother buying a brush. They grow all around your apiary. I prefer Timothy. Choose a grass that's stiff and thin. Almost...the thinner the better....up near the seed head is good.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff61/frenchhill/scan0002-2.jpg

Use the absolute smallest drop of paint that you can get on the tip. It spreads out quickly. I always wipe off any extra paint after marking a queen by rolling the "brush" on a cover, or my little table.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff61/frenchhill/scan0005-2.jpg

If you mark lots of queens, the paint in the bottle will thicken a bit. At that point it's harder to use, and drys more slowly on the queen. Buy a small bottle of Testor's thinner. Add a little, cover and shake. Back to new.

The tinyest drop will spread out nicely on her thorax.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff61/frenchhill/scan0005-1.jpg
 
#6 ·
I never really liked those queen marking pens. Too clumsy and finicky for me. I'd rather use Testor's model paint...they have really bright colors, it's easy to use, and a $2 bottle will last forever.
Agreed. I use a small nail, ground flat and embeded into a thin wooden handle.


Mike, you're using a cell phone? Man--Vermont is getting pretty high-tech!
:lookout:

Adam Finkelstein
www.vpqueenbees.com
 
#10 ·
Michael Palmer;3........................ [url said:
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff61/frenchhill/scan0005-2.jpg[/url]

If you mark lots of queens, the paint in the bottle will thicken a bit. At that point it's harder to use, and drys more slowly on the queen. Buy a small bottle of Testor's thinner. Add a little, cover and shake. Back to new.

The tinyest drop will spread out nicely on her thorax.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff61/frenchhill/scan0005-1.jpg
How do you get the queen to stay still long enough to get the paint in the right spot? Do you put her in one of the small boxes in the "scan0005" picture? Where do you get these boxes/cages?

You can tell this is new to me.
 
#11 ·
Buy cages from Walter Kelley Co.

To get her in the cage, I hired an Indian guy with a weird looking flute. He plays, they march right in. :-0 Sorry, I couldn't resist.

For real...I like the queen to be walking right to left. Then, I can come up behind her with my right hand. Place your right thumb and fore finger together. Flat together as you can. Now, roll the tips toward each other. See how they would pinch...the queens wings? They do stick out behind her abdomen. So, if you roll your thumb/finger onto her wing tips, you can pick her up. She'll arch her back, and reach her legs out to grab something. Touch her legs to the comb, and she'll crawl away.

Place her on the first knuckle of your left middle finger, and while still holding the wings, hold her thorax with your left index and thumb. Release the wings. Mark the queen. Blow on the paint to dry it. Pinch the wings. Release the thorax. Release the queen or place her head against the open cork hole on the cage, and boot her in the butt with your right ring finger, so she'll crawl through the hole. Add 6 attendants. Cork. Do another one.

Never hold her by the abdomen. Some will faint, and once in awhile, die.
 
#13 ·
I gained confidence by marking drones.

Choose a color from a couple of years ago (white or yellow for instance), and have at the drones. You'll learn how little paint you actually need. (READ: You'll drown a few drones getting the quantity of paint right.) And you'll learn how much pressure you need to keep them from getting away. (READ: You'll squash a few drones... but, they'll make more!)

Over time, your confidence will grow, and you'll pick up the queen and dab her with just the right amount of paint. (Don't forget to let it dry!)

Good luck,
DS
 
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