Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: _Brenda_ on April 28, 2008, 09:43:20 AM

Title: Queen in the cage?
Post by: _Brenda_ on April 28, 2008, 09:43:20 AM
When I looked in the hive, to try to see if the queen was released yet, the bees were so thick on the queen cage, I couldn't see in it.
Since they were so thick on it, I assumed she's still in it, and will check again in a few days. Weather is cool and rainy, and tonight they're saying some frost, so re-checking must wait.
If she still hasn't been released when I check, how do you get the bees away from the queen cage, calmly?
I tried to brush a few away and that seemed to aggravate them. They buzzed my veil for awhile.
Title: Re: Queen in the cage?
Post by: Cindi on April 28, 2008, 10:03:52 AM
Brenda, sometimes when I want to move the bees some very light breathing on them gets them to move away.  They don't like the carbon dioxide from breath, my bees move away.  Try that.  Bees do not like to be brushed one little bit.  When we were taught about brushing bees, we were taught to brush them briskly, not gently, and brush from the face first, not from their back ends, that annoys them even more, hee, heee, no one likes to be brushed on the butt!!!  Beautiful and most wonderful day that we need and deserve too.  Cindi
Title: Re: Queen in the cage?
Post by: _Brenda_ on April 28, 2008, 01:34:27 PM
Thanks Cindi. I'll try that next time.
I appreciate your input.  :)