Joe Mc Cool asked:
> Sometimes I cage them before resubmitting to colony
> Is there any need to cage them ?

I hold queens for clipping and marking under a press-in cage.  Use tweezers 
to grab a wing, then clip with dressmakers' snips (like minature sheep 
shears).  Then mark and immediately remove the cage.

Never had any problems and I have many two and three year old queens (one 
going into her fourth year) with the original paint mark.

I started using the cage because I read that if you handle queens you can 
put the scent from the last one on to the next one you handle - and she 
could then be attacked.  Bob might comment on this as he does so many that 
way.

Best wishes

Peter Edwards
[log in to unmask]
www.stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk/

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