Longevity of a caged queen

Dange · August 21, 2012, 09:33:25 AM

How long can you keep a caged queen that you plan on introducing? any special care need to be given?

Thanks

D Coates · August 21, 2012, 10:09:37 AM

If she's alone only 2 or 3 days at the most. If she's got attendants I've had them last over a week. Either way I give a little honey and keep them in the dark where it's also warm.

Michael Bush · August 21, 2012, 04:04:06 PM

You can keep her as long as there are healthy attendants and enough food.

bluegrass · August 21, 2012, 06:42:02 PM

I have kept them for up to two weeks caged. Sooner is better though, just because you can keep them alive in a cage doesn't mean you should.

AllenF · August 21, 2012, 08:12:22 PM

Make sure you have a mated queen when keeping a queen caged for a while. A virgin queen will waste for that length.

bernsad · August 21, 2012, 08:15:43 PM

Quote from: AllenF on August 21, 2012, 08:12:22 PM
Make sure you have a mated queen when keeping a queen caged for a while. A virgin queen will waste for that length.

That's interesting, why is that Allen?

Michael Bush · August 21, 2012, 09:40:04 PM

While I try to avoid banking for long periods, I have been curious about the production queens I've purchased that have taken up to two weeks to start laying. I thought it might be because they were banked. So I tried banking queens as long as four or five months and they all started laying as soon as they were introduced and they did fine. I don't see any evidence that banking harms them any.

AllenF · August 21, 2012, 10:53:26 PM

The virgin has a limited about of time to get mated and be worth anything.

bernsad · August 22, 2012, 06:02:50 AM

So if she is detained awhile and then released, she won't then go on her mating flight, she's just passed it?

D Coates · August 22, 2012, 10:03:08 AM

Quote from: Michael Bush on August 21, 2012, 09:40:04 PM
So I tried banking queens as long as four or five months and they all started laying as soon as they were introduced and they did fine. I don't see any evidence that banking harms them any.

I'm surprised you've found they lived that long, I've not had those results. If they can be banked that long why can't they be overwintered? Is it because the cluster moves?

BlueBee · August 22, 2012, 12:38:19 PM

I haven't bought queens for a while, but when I did, I put them in the basement if I couldn't put them in a hive right away. They seemed less stressed to me when in the cool dark basement than in the warm garage. I only gave them a drop of water since they had candy to eat. Something sticky like honey could result in a mess if you're not careful. Probably more likely to draw ants too.