Computer Software Solutions Ltd wrote: > > Hi All > > I am a first year beekeeper. I have come across procedures in beekeeping > books which call for introducing ripe queen cells into colonies. I cannot > recall having seen a procedure for actually doing this. Why are you waiting for ripe queen cells and don't produce one. Then you even know the day, when queens come out of their cells? > > I have not yet seen a queen cell in one of my beehives. I do not know what a > ripe cell looks like. I do know, that the queen cells are somewhat acorn > like, and may be in the centre of combs if they are supercedure cells, or on > the bottom of combs if they are swarming cells. Perhaps you have a good young queen with less intention to swarm. Mostly they are the old ones which produce several queen cells. If you have a good hive you should use the genetic potential of its queen and not wait for queen cells of a hive that swarms a lot. > > What exactly does one do, to remove the cell without damage from the colony > in which it starts, and then how does one 'affix' it to the colony into > which it is to be introduced. For removing of the cells you should use a warm (heated) knife. Take care of the queen insite the cell. Don't hurt it. You can affix it by several methods (needle, cork-clips, wax-fixation at a wooden splint and so on). > Is there a preferred time of day to do this, Cut the cell out just before the time(1-2 days) of the queen's natural hatching. Leave enough wax around the cell. > what are the chances of success, and how does one guard against failure?. The chances are above 90% if you do the cutting just in time. > > If anybody can help I would be most grateful as I intend to have a go at > some queen rearing next year. > > I am located just outside Dublin Ireland and it is now a very cold and wet > winter. Beekeeping will recommence here next April. > > Many thanks > > Sincerely > > Tom Barrett > 49 South Park > Foxrock > Dublin 18 > Ireland > > e mail: [log in to unmask] with regards Dr. Reimund Schuberth from Bavaria / Germany beekeeping queen rearing (carniolan) insemination