[bison]

I just picked up a few queens. I am going to replace one queen that's a drone layer, and make a couple of splits. How long after pinching the DL queen/splitting do I need to wait to introduce the new queens? They are in plastic cages with fondant plugs.

I see there is a lot of chatter about waiting a day or two but recall hearing from other experienced keepers who wait much less than that.

thx

 

[Michael Palmer]

I never wait. Remove old queen, and give new queen. Waiting means emergency cells will be started, reducing the acceptance.

To requeen a DL colony, I would adda couple frames of emerging brood, and use a push-in cage to introduce the new queen.

For making splits, from a queen-right colony, you can use the shipping cage.

 

[Ravenseye]

I never wait. Remove old queen, and give new queen. Waiting means emergency cells will be started, reducing the acceptance.

To requeen a DL colony, I would adda couple frames of emerging brood, and use a push-in cage to introduce the new queen.

For making splits, from a queen-right colony, you can use the shipping cage.

I do splits right away. Make them, put the queen (in cage) in there and you're done.

 

[Tennessee's Bees LLC]

I never wait. Remove old queen, and give new queen. Waiting means emergency cells will be started, reducing the acceptance.

To requeen a DL colony, I would adda couple frames of emerging brood, and use a push-in cage to introduce the new queen.

For making splits, from a queen-right colony, you can use the shipping cage.

Agreed. We just made some splits yesterday with some hawaiian queens and we threw them in immediately. I also remove the attendants on introduction what do you think of that Michael?

 

[clyderoad]

Agreed. We just made some splits yesterday with some hawaiian queens and we threw them in immediately. I also remove the attendants on introduction what do you think of that Michael?

Not MPalmer but I remove attendants.
99.9% certain he does too.

 

[Michael Palmer]

I used to be an Outie. Now I'm an I don't carey.

 

[Tennessee's Bees LLC]

Haha! It was a pain getting them out yesterday! Never seen bees so reluctant to leave the cage. Must have been since it was about 40 when we pulled them out.

 

[Vance G]

I introduce them right away after killing the old queen. If the colony has time to start queen cells, they are more apt to reject your offer of a stranger. I sometimes rub the old queen into the replacements cage to attempt some scent transfer.

 

[Ravenseye]

I introduce them right away after killing the old queen. If the colony has time to start queen cells, they are more apt to reject your offer of a stranger. I sometimes rub the old queen into the replacements cage to attempt some scent transfer.

I like that idea!

 

[Barhopper]

I kill the old queen and leave her in the hive. Introduce new one in an hour or two.

 

[bison]

I requeened the DL hive today... Pinched the old queen then took a frame of emerging brood from another hive and used a push in cage to introduce the new queen. I let about a half dozen bees stay in the cage with the queen (these were bees that came with the new queen, not from a hive) and put the cage over about half capped brood and half empty cells. I don't believe it covered any honey or pollen. Is this OK? How long should I give it before releasing her?

 

[beekuk]

When doing splits, making up nucs, replacing a queen, I leave them for about an hour, sometimes a bit less, then introduce the new laying queen direct onto a comb, no caging.

If the new queen had been sent through the post or caged for several hours I introduce using a cage.

 

[Michael Palmer]

I don't believe it covered any honey or pollen. Is this OK? How long should I give it before releasing her?

I try to have honey or nectar, and emerging brood under the cage. Sometimes difficult. I pull the cage on day 4.

 

[Michael Bush]

Ideal, in my opinion, is between 2 hours and 12 hours. Overnight is nice, but 2 hours is fine. If you wait longer, as Michael Palmer said, they will start queen cells. I'm pretty fond of 2 hours... that's long enough that they know they are queenless.

 

[bison]

All went well... I just checked and the requeening was successful for all. I'd immediately introduced the caged queen to the splits and had released the queen in the DL hive under a push in cage. Released her today (four days later) and she happily took off on a stroll around the frame.