Transport Queen Cell

StephenSDH · June 25, 2009, 12:02:55 PM

I would like to transport a couple capped queen cells from my hive to my fathers house 5 hours away. I was thinking of putting a couple jugs of water in a cooler that are warmed up to 95 degrees and hope that regulates the temp. Scrap off some queen cells and keep them upright for the ride. Then install them once I get there. I am new at all this so any suggestions would be appreciated. I am wondering how they ship when you order capped queens by mail.

Thanks Again, Steve

Robo · June 25, 2009, 12:07:59 PM

I would transport them in a nuc and let the bees regulate the temperature/humidity.

Cheryl · June 25, 2009, 01:13:17 PM

Quote from: Robo on June 25, 2009, 12:07:59 PM
I would transport them in a nuc and let the bees regulate the temperature/humidity.

My thoughts exactly. Even a "package" box with a bunch of nurse bees -- Like Robo said, let the bees do it. They know best.

StephenSDH · June 25, 2009, 01:49:27 PM

Its a good thing, but a bad thing. All my equipment (and my only nuc which a buddy has because he wanted to keep bees in the city undercover) has bees in it right now. I will try rigging something up like you guys said and take a frame with bees on it.

Thanks, Steve

Kathyp · June 25, 2009, 01:53:25 PM

just read a thing about cutting out queen cells and then pinning them into the new hive. there was no nuc involved, but i don't remember what the rest of it said. maybe a search on here if someone else wrote or read about it?

DavePaulson · June 25, 2009, 02:21:46 PM

That would work fine don't move them until a day or two before they hatch. Treat them gentle. The cooler method I mean.

StephenSDH · June 25, 2009, 02:25:34 PM

Quote from: kathyp on June 25, 2009, 01:53:25 PM
just read a thing about cutting out queen cells and then pinning them into the new hive. there was no nuc involved, but i don't remember what the rest of it said. maybe a search on here if someone else wrote or read about it?

I did look before I posted, but wasn't able to find anything. I just looked again. Let me know if you find it. I thought this would be a common question. Thanks guys.

Natalie · June 25, 2009, 02:31:15 PM

I was given a queen cell at the field day last weekend, I just brought it home in the car so I hope its fine.
The guy was giving away some queen cells after his grafting and queen marking demo.
The cell was in that outer plastic cage but I didn't have anything else to transport it in so I hope its fine.
I put it in the hive as soon as I got home.

Brian D. Bray · June 26, 2009, 02:53:13 AM

Do it the way we used to back in the 60's, put them in a small match box and slip them in your pocket.