Aaron Morris <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
"Hmmm, if I can increase queen acceptance by that much simply by removing
attendants, henceforth I will do so."  

Right. Anything one can do to increase the success of introduction is
probably worthwhile. Having lost a queen or two in the process of getting
the workers out, it is worth noting that there are easy ways and risky ways. 

Opening the cork and letting the workers escape while relying on quick
reflexes not to let the queen escape -- and doing this outdoors -- can
result in a queen flying off into the wild blue yonder. Note, they will
usually return to the spot where they escaped from (smart little critters).

A better plan is to have a spare cage and let the workers escape into it.
The first time you open the hole about half the workers will run into the
other cage. Maybe the queen too, but no matter. Release the half without the
queen. Repeat until one cage has only the queen.

pb

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