Marking

OzBuzz · October 02, 2010, 02:14:44 AM

G'day everybody, I tried marking my queen for the first time today... I used one of those press in cages. I got a nice dot of paint on her, held her there, then lifted the cage a little... She put a little smudge on her wings and then she preened and got a tiny amount above her eyes. Will she be ok? I let her go before it was totally dry hoping the workers will maybe clean it off... I hope I haven't doomed her

Michael Bush · October 02, 2010, 05:45:50 AM

She may do fine, but next time give it a little time to dry... and practice on drones with next year's color...

Robo · October 02, 2010, 08:12:59 AM

I find those cages and making tubes to be more of a hassle than worth. Plus I was always worrying that I was pressing too hard and would kill her.

http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/queen-marking/

As Michael suggested, practice with drones. Practice, practice, practice until you feel comfortable.

iddee · October 02, 2010, 10:16:44 AM

http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,29004.0.html

:evil: :evil: :evil:

AllenF · October 02, 2010, 10:52:27 AM

Oh, you open up a can now.

I thought all we figured out last time was that marking queens was gay. :-D :-D :-D

specialkayme · October 02, 2010, 10:59:18 AM

Quote from: Robo on October 02, 2010, 08:12:59 AM

I find those cages and making tubes to be more of a hassle than worth.

After I lost a few to "fudgy fingers" I always use the marking tube now. I had a big issue with picking the queen up and holding her in place. Once I squished her, another time I held her too loose and she dropped on the ground (in tall grass, I never found her), another time I had her only by the wing (she spun around till it fell ripped off). One time I actually got her picked up, held her, marked her and all, but by the time I put her back in the hive it was so stressful for her she absconded. Marking might just be a personal issue, but the tube helps for me.

Now I stick with the tubes.

OzBuzz · October 04, 2010, 11:52:20 PM

My marking can't have been that bad! she's still alive and kicking :) there is a little paint on her wings but I don't think that's a huge issue

OzBuzz · October 05, 2010, 12:03:44 AM

Quote from: iddee on October 02, 2010, 10:16:44 AM
http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,29004.0.html

:evil: :evil: :evil:

Thanks Iddee for that reference - for the time being marking works for me... I don't use it as a "she's marked i must find her" but if things point to me needing to ascertain if she is actually there then it certainly speeds up my finding her. It's a double edged sword i guess but, as i said, at this point in time as a hobbyist marking works for me. In fact i only have two of my 10 hives with marked Queens - the rest are swarms that i haven't yet marked - i think it's a skill that is good to know - especially if you plan on selling Queens when ones will ask for marked Queens irrespective of your stance on them

VolunteerK9 · October 05, 2010, 12:48:53 AM

Quote from: AllenF on October 02, 2010, 10:52:27 AM
Oh, you open up a can now.

I thought all we figured out last time was that marking queens was gay. :-D :-D :-D

I suspect we will hear about it in the morning

BjornBee · October 05, 2010, 07:50:46 AM

:pop:

Who we waiting for..... :idunno:

tecumseh · October 05, 2010, 08:13:18 AM

Iddee writes:
http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,29004.0.html

tecumseh:
wow that is information enough for an entire phd dissertation + some really good material for a shrink.

VolunteerK9 · October 05, 2010, 10:42:32 AM

Quote from: BjornBee on October 05, 2010, 07:50:46 AM
:pop:

Who we waiting for..... :idunno:

lmao