Went out to my new package today, installed this passed Saturday.
I put the cage candy down and there was a dead bee in the candy plug.
Had read here and on Mr Bush's site about releasing the Queen. But by the time I got the cork out bees were on the outside on the cage and my hand.
So ..held my finger over the cork hole pushed it in to the entrance, now more bees on cage and a nervous keep. I panicked a little and moved the cage Queen got out and took flight. You all saw this coming!:doh:
Well, found her on the ground in front of the hive picked her up and she took off again. I was about to give up when I noticed bees “fighting” right next to my leg, workers and the Queen. Picked her up again and with the help of the cage got here close to the entrance. The workers mobbed her at the entrance.
Finally I keep the cage pushed up to the entrance and I lost her in the mob, I think she went in the box.
So I think all is well for now, guess operator error again. Where would a Queen fly off to had I not recaptured her, would she find her way into the hive? Or just be lost.
Keith
I put the cage candy down and there was a dead bee in the candy plug.
Had read here and on Mr Bush's site about releasing the Queen. But by the time I got the cork out bees were on the outside on the cage and my hand.
So ..held my finger over the cork hole pushed it in to the entrance, now more bees on cage and a nervous keep. I panicked a little and moved the cage Queen got out and took flight. You all saw this coming!:doh:
Well, found her on the ground in front of the hive picked her up and she took off again. I was about to give up when I noticed bees “fighting” right next to my leg, workers and the Queen. Picked her up again and with the help of the cage got here close to the entrance. The workers mobbed her at the entrance.
Finally I keep the cage pushed up to the entrance and I lost her in the mob, I think she went in the box.
So I think all is well for now, guess operator error again. Where would a Queen fly off to had I not recaptured her, would she find her way into the hive? Or just be lost.
Keith