[beemandan]

In the future, I'd suggest that you install the cage with the cork in and leave for a few days. Then, return and remove the cork.
You don't need any marshmallows.

 

[Matt_inSC]

A queen breeder gave a talk at our bee club a couple years back and described his method for determining if the colony was ready to accept her.
He’d place her in a queen cage and place that cage in the colony for some hours (don’t recall but I think it was 12 hrs.). When he returned if the bees surrounding the cage brushed off like water then they were ready. If the were more like Velcro when brushed off then they were likely not ready for the new queen.

 

[NorthernIllinoisPlumber]

A queen breeder gave a talk at our bee club a couple years back and described his method for determining if the colony was ready to accept her.
He’d place her in a queen cage and place that cage in the colony for some hours (don’t recall but I think it was 12 hrs.). When he returned if the bees surrounding the cage brushed off like water then they were ready. If the were more like Velcro when brushed off then they were likely not ready for the new queen.

Came off easy.

 

[NorthernIllinoisPlumber]

In the future, I'd suggest that you install the cage with the cork in and leave for a few days. Then, return and remove the cork.
You don't need any marshmallows.

Good advice

 

[MJC417]

A queen breeder gave a talk at our bee club a couple years back and described his method for determining if the colony was ready to accept her.
He’d place her in a queen cage and place that cage in the colony for some hours (don’t recall but I think it was 12 hrs.). When he returned if the bees surrounding the cage brushed off like water then they were ready. If the were more like Velcro when brushed off then they were likely not ready for the new queen.

I found the method of brushing workers off a cage to determine if the queen is accepted unreliable, especially in cooler temps. If you do try it, keep the queen cage handy so you can return her back to the cage quickly. Patience is the best method (5 or 6 days) if the colony wasn't queen less for long and there is no emerging brood to use a push in cage.

 

[Saltybee]

The chances the package has not been together for multiple days before reaching Northern Ill are pretty slim.

 

[bushpilot]

My guess is that it is highly likely they accept her. I have simply "dumped" queens in, and combined hives, with no known ill effect. Not always the best method for the bees, but sometimes expediency is the best choice for the beekeeper.

Update us when you know.

 

[beemandan]

The chances the package has not been together for multiple days before reaching Northern Ill are pretty slim.

My suggestion to leave the cork in for a few days is just to reduce the 'slim' chance that she won't be accepted.
Just an extra precaution.

 

[Saltybee]

Dan,
No argument from me on that.

 

[Tigger19687]

Wait, don't they have a candy inside under the Cork ?
That is what I thought they all had.

 

[Arnie]

Wait, don't they have a candy inside under the Cork ?
That is what I thought they all had.

Not anymore.

 

[snapper1d]

Almost 40 years ago I ordered 10 packages and went to install them that afternoon.The place I had ordered from told me to install the bees and then just pull the cork and direct release her. I got down to about #8 and heard a swarm of bees and it came from the first one I had installed.By the time I was pulling the cork on #10 there was 6 of those 10 packages in the air and leaving out.I learned my lesson that day and never direct released a queen like that anymore.Pull the cork on the candy end and dont direct release.

 

[NorthernIllinoisPlumber]

I finished the day installing the last three packages.

Installed marsh mellow, hung queen between frames, added another deep and dumped them in.

Ill check back in a day or two.

These bees have been with the queen since last Wednesday.

 

[edzkoda]

Not anymore.

We order 2 -300 queens a year and all come with candy. I guess we better keep asking to make sure.

 

[Bdfarmer555]

Inserted a queen last year into a split, they left the candy alone and ate the other cork out to release her. The rules never "always" apply...

 

[beemandan]

The JZBZ caged queens I've gotten recently had candy. The problem is that the bees in the splits eat through it in less than 24 hours. In the case of splits...this is bad news as the acceptance rate plummets.

 

[snl]

The JZBZ caged queens I've gotten recently had candy. The problem is that the bees in the splits eat through it in less than 24 hours. In the case of splits...this is bad news as the acceptance rate plummets.

Tape over the candy so they can’t eat it away....