Hi Trevor:

You ask why not just kill the queen instead of caging her. The
publication ‘Beekeeping in Alaska’ from the Cooperative Extension Service
(which is a joint service of state universities and the U.S. Dept. of
Agriculture) gives just this advice. The publication mentions killing the
queen about three weeks before harvesting the honey. Once all the brood has
emerged, the beekeepers are advised to kill the bees and extract honey.
The ‘Beekeeping in Alaska’ pamphlet was last revised in May 1982, and is
aimed at beginning beekeepers who start with new packages each season.

Some beekeepers believe the bees are more content if there is a live queen
among them even though she is caged. Others will release the queen after
extracting and then attempt to overwinter their bees. Still others simply
do not want to kill their bees, hoping instead to give them to anyone
interested in taking them.

Regards,
Dick Allen

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