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----------------- Original message (ID=1A46F99F) (69 lines)
-------------------
Date: Wed, 02 May 2001 16:05:20 -0800
From: Tom Elliott <[log in to unmask]>
To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology
 <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Marking existing queens

Vital,

Since you referenced my post I will simply respond that I have marked
queens at various times of the year (keep in mind that here in Alaska
our season is short) and never had a negative reaction.  I am erratic
about marking queens so I sometimes do not, and other times do it when
ever I get to it.

Also I have never marked more than 4 queens at any one time so I never
worried about queen odor on my fingers.  In any case, I hold the queen
only by the wings, so odor would be less of a problem (if it is a
problem).

I have never clipped queens, and see no value to such a process.  My
reading suggests that a clipped queen is more likely to be superseded
early than non clipped queens.  I do not have any reference for that,
but perhaps someone else here will set me straight.

--
"Test everything.  Hold on to the good."  (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

Tom Elliott
Chugiak,  Alaska
U.S.A.
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