Hello Gang,

Spring chores are done, summer nectar flow is winding down, the grass
is cut and cleaning the garage can wait until fall.

I spent a very enjoyable Independance Day weekend afternoon
practicing marking queens by catching drones (male honey bees)
and marking them.

All toll, I did about 20 of them. I used light blue and light
green "White Out," to dot them. It's what I had on hand. White
does show up the best and I will use that color next time.

Catching them was quite easy. I waited for one to leave the hive,
and grabbed him with my bare fingers.
I sat in a lawn chair dressed in shorts
tee shirt and sandals. The only sting that I got was from a bee working
a stalk of clover which was caught between my sandal and bare toes when
I left for the day.

Practicing on drones is much more cost efficient than using store
bought queens and killing them while gaining the dexterity and
confidence that only the real thing can provide.

I will be glad to do a show and tell here if there is anyone willing
to try it themselves. It's a lot of fun, and drones do not sting.

Grist Mill Apiary

Ernie Gregoire
 de AA1IK
Canaan, NH. USA


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07/03/99 18:36:23