Gardner Queen Bees
 
Pick up: March 27-29 (Also available at later dates.)
 
3% Discount if paid by check using our printable form.
 
Individual queens (marked or unmarked*) are available on dates of bee packages pickup and a few days after those dates. Each queen is delivered in a Benton queen cage with a queen candy plug along with several workers to feed her. New queens can be difficult for bees to accept so queen acceptance cannot be guaranteed. When introducing a caged queen, after placing the queen cage in the hive with the honey bees allow her to remain in the cage for 5 days with both ends closed and the candy plug end corked or protected. After 5 days double check to make sure there is no other queen among the bees. Sometimes a queen is among bees thought to be queenless. If there is a loose queen the worker bees will never accept the caged queen and will kill her once they have access to her. After double checking for a loose queen, remove the cork or metal disk protecting the candy. Allow the workers to chew through the candy to release her.
 
After 3 days check to make sure the queen is out of the cage. If so, remove the queenless cage. Workers will probably be in the cage so tuck the cage into the hive entrance with the opening facing in to allow them to escape.
 
If the candy has not been eaten through, check for a loose queen again. Finding none and no sign of one, gently poke a hole in the candy with a paper clip straightened at one end. Return the queen cage to the hive and check for her release in two more days. This gradual release produces a higher rate of queen acceptance.