Did I place the queen cage right?

Bigfoot · May 03, 2011, 08:12:23 PM

Hello folks I have a quick question. I helped a friend of mine install a package of bees today and I noticed when we removed the queen cage there wasn't enough of a tab to hang the cage, so what I did was removed the cork to expose the candy and wrapped a rubber band around the one of the frames and placed the queen cage horizontally instead of the candy end up or down. Is it OK to do this, the queen had four attendants and I read If the candy end is down and one of the attendants die the queen might not be able to get out. I just want to make sure it's OK to place the queen cage horizontal.

Kathyp · May 03, 2011, 09:01:14 PM

should be fine. some people just lay it on the bottom. even if she's not released, the bees can take care of her through the screen. you can check back in a few days and see how she's doing.

Tommyt · May 03, 2011, 09:02:08 PM

That is Fine, you could always just open the other side and let her walk out

Tommyt

AllenF · May 03, 2011, 09:27:54 PM

Remember there are a lot of beeks that just slide the cage in on the bottom board. It's all good.

Vance G · May 03, 2011, 10:23:55 PM

There are not a lot of beekeepers up north who put queen cages on the bottom of the hive. Too darn cold down there when it is still freezing at night!

iddee · May 03, 2011, 11:32:07 PM

But there are beeks who do in NC and make up hundreds of nucs in March. It's still freezing many nights at that time. They don't use screen bottom boards, tho.

Michael Bush · May 04, 2011, 12:52:47 AM

When doing a candy release I always go horizontally. You can just wedge it in. For a package I would just release her and avoid that comb they will build on the queen cage.

http://bushfarms.com/beespackages.htm