Michael Housel wrote:

>        Queens that have been marked can be cleaned by the bees.  You need
to
> clip a wing.  Many of my observation hives have the originally marked
queen
> with the clip wing but the marks have been removed.

Removed or just rubbed off?  When marking a queen it is essential to get the
paint on to the
surface of the thorax.  A gentle dab leaves a blob of paint on the overhairs
rather than the surface and this will quickly disappear; in my experience
you need to press down quite firmly (within reason!) and rub the paint in.
I find the marker pens sold by Thornes work very well if applied like this
and have some marks that have easily survived three seasons.

A word of warning: keep the pen out of the sun and dab it first on something
other than your queen, or else your may well apply an awful lot more paint
than you intended!

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

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::