Hi All
 
I am a first year beekeeper. I have come across procedures in beekeeping
books which call for introducing ripe queen cells into colonies. I cannot
recall having seen a procedure for actually doing this.
 
I have not yet seen a queen cell in one of my beehives. I do not know what a
ripe cell looks like. I do know, that the queen cells are somewhat acorn
like, and may be in the centre of combs if they are supercedure cells, or on
the bottom of combs if they are swarming cells.
 
What exactly does one do, to remove the cell without damage from the colony
in which it starts, and then how does one 'affix' it to the colony into
which it is to be introduced. Is there a preferred time of day to do this,
what are the chances of success, and how does one guard against failure?.
 
 
If anybody can help I would be most grateful as I intend to have a go at
some queen rearing next year.
 
I am located just outside Dublin Ireland and it is now a very cold and wet
winter. Beekeeping will recommence here next April.
 
Many thanks
 
 
Sincerely
 
Tom Barrett
49 South Park
Foxrock
Dublin 18
Ireland
 
e mail: [log in to unmask]