""I am considering dequeening a strong hive in order for it to build queen
cells.  I'll then place wire mesh cages over the sealed queen cells and
possibly bank the emerged virgins in the same hive to select the largest ones
for mating nucs.  The banking would be for a few days - until all the queens
emerge.""

I've done this a few times --I'm no expert

Largest?? they only get large later
When emerged they are only slightly larger
than  workers.  Many times only recognizable
as Q after a close look

If the cages go on too early they (workers) "dig" underneath
Worse if bees entrapped in cage, quick excavation then
if comb is mostly yellow they even go thru mid rib
2 days before or less is best.  Here's advantage to dark comb
(with dark comb score (with hive tool) where cage will push in)

Move frame(s) to top box and make sure they
can slide easily or change box for a clean one
You may be into it 6 times, best make it convenient
A few honey  cells should be under each cage

Very young virgins are readily accepted
Twice a day I would check "hatch",
put frame back, make weak nucs,
drop in virgin 10 min later
They all survived

I often used bribery rather than smoke
to keep the commotion down
and the little princesses unpaniced

dave

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