Virgin Queens

Ted n Ms · April 12, 2010, 12:51:24 AM

A place in Tifton Ga. is selling virgin queens shipped in queen cages in a battery box with attendants. I didn't think virgins would be accepted. Anyone have exprence introducing virgins in queen cage?
hlbeefarm
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annette · April 12, 2010, 01:08:26 AM

Very interesting, can't wait for the answer.

Ted n Ms · April 14, 2010, 10:44:25 PM

I think nobody knows the answer. :-X

iddee · April 14, 2010, 10:53:58 PM

I don't know, but I would be afraid of wings being damaged if they are shipped just after emergence.

Michael Bush · April 14, 2010, 10:54:00 PM

I have introduced virgin queens. It is more difficult than introducing a laying queen as she does not make as much pheromones. Then again, she often is ignored as just another bee because she doesn't smell like a queen. I would make sure she can feed herself (has food available in the cage). There is also the timing. She needs to be mated within 21 days of when she emerged, so you can't confine her too long as some bad weather can cost you some of that, shipping already cost you some of that and it all adds up...

AllenF · April 14, 2010, 11:05:26 PM

I installed a handful of virgin queens 3 weeks ago. As of last week, no good sign from them yet. I have some mated queens coming end of the month. If no sign by then, I will install the mated queens into those queenless hives.

JP · April 14, 2010, 11:37:14 PM

How much are they selling them for?

...JP

AllenF · April 14, 2010, 11:45:03 PM

6 or 10 dollars I think.

JP · April 14, 2010, 11:47:05 PM

Now who woulda thunk there'd be a market for virgin queens? :roll:

...JP

sc-bee · April 15, 2010, 01:34:46 AM

Not exactly the same scenario but ---I know a beekeeper who hatches queens in an incubator and introduces the virgin queens to mating nucs. He dips them in honey first. He says he has success introducing virgin queen this way but not a mated ones.

As stated above there is a window for mating. What is your drone stock like? Why buy a virgin queen?

bee-nuts · April 15, 2010, 03:10:39 AM

From what I hear, there is a major queen shortage at the moment. Depending on your location, a virgin queen may be better than no queen at all.

AllenF · April 15, 2010, 08:24:21 PM

I check the hives I put the virgin queens in. Bad news so far. Only 1 out of 5 with brood. I install some mated queens in those 4 today. I think mated queens are a better way to go.