Releasing the Queen

The bees and the queens on this load were brought together Saturday morning.  So, Saturday is one day, Sunday is 2 days, Monday is 3 days, Tuesday is 4 days and so on.  We like to see the queen remain with the bees at least 4 to 5 days before they are released.  Longer is not harmful and may help. 

What you have is what is called a 3-hole queen cage with a cork in each end.  Many of you removed the cork on the candy side during installation on Day 2, with the hope that the candy would hold the worker bees at Day for 2 days and the queen would be released Day 4.  Others waited until today to check on them and removed the cork on the candy side to shoot for a Day 5 release.  Either way is fine.

If you have not released the cork on the candy side, you could go in Day 3 and remove it.  Or you could wait until Day 4 or 5 and see how they are reacting to the queen.  You would like to see the workers just milling around the cage and not acting aggressively.  If all looks fine you could dig out most of the candy and let them release her on her own.  Do not pry out the cork only side which would do a direct release because she might fly away.  Don't ask me how I know that.

Good Luck,

Jeff Gabric