A new split isn't "Queen Hungry" for at least 24 hours. It takes a bit for the lack of pherimones to be noticed. You can place a queen in a cage, immediately, and she will be safe, and the essence of the previous queen will fade. But make sure the new queen doesn't get out prior to 3 days time. They may not take to her immediately, but the environment is proper, so she will be in the right temperature zone and humidity to keep her well. It can be hard to distinguish whether the colony is trying to ball her through the cage, or simply accept her, so don't be fooled and think they accept her and then release her early. If they think she is foreign, they will cover her cage and try to smother her. But after 3 days, they have usually accepted her as the new smell, and it is safe to let her go.
I usually place a small drop of water on the cage periodically for them to get a little drink. It also helps the attendants and the queen, be able to consume the candy that is there to help keep them alive during this time. Bees will eventually start to feed them through the screen when they accept them.
I usually place a small drop of water on the cage periodically for them to get a little drink. It also helps the attendants and the queen, be able to consume the candy that is there to help keep them alive during this time. Bees will eventually start to feed them through the screen when they accept them.
