Introducing a Virgin Queen into a Hive

A couple ways to introduce a virgin into a hive

[@inharmonywithearth9982]

This is the best instructional lesson on introducing a princess queen there is. Also learned you can mark the virgins. Thank You Sir.

[@Dstick1Spearfishing]

Great video Joe, you are sure helping a lot off folks, Bless you for it!

[@carolinasunfarms8562]

Thank you for all your videos! Very informative and I love all the tips on things you have been taught!

[@meloneycrews]

We usually don’t make any comments but your vids are always very interesting! Thanks for taking the time to share!

[@tomkingsley4398]

Glad to have this resource to refer back to. Thanks for all your knowledge. I hope your doing well.

[@bitchesbeecrazy]

Spittin on the bees, I tell you what Joe May! lol

[@LittleBitsHoneyBeesjoemay]

It's works

[@Dstick1Spearfishing]

Is it because you are chewing Joe, or is it without the snuff?

[@stevechubb5791]

Thanks joe, for showing how to introduce a virgin queen.

[@virgilcrites8906]

Thanks I appreciate all the help

[@Mackabees]

Thanks for all the tips.

[@virgilcrites8906]

Great info thanks

[@timurich4270]

I know exactly what you mean about making queen cells even in the presence of a caged mated queen. I had a nuc that accepted a mated queen. A few days later, a virgin emerged in the hive. I had missed the cell. The hive balled the mated queen and then balled the virgin. I happened to be putting in pollen patties and observed the bees actively balling a virgin. I saved her and put her in a new hive.

[@t.hangar]

Hi Skinny Bee Man, could you tell me where you get those little yellow plastic entry for your nucs? Thanks for all the great videos

[@LittleBitsHoneyBeesjoemay]

The company that I sold the rights to suppose to have them out soon.

[@framcesmoore]

Do u do the same with mated queens, or do u install the queen while in a cage and release her in 3 days Thanks for the video have a wonderful day

[@LittleBitsHoneyBeesjoemay]

i use a cage and candy release.

[@beesybee8921]

I kept it in the cage in thee split for two days and they don’t want her for some reason even through I put lemongrass smell oil on top of the cage

[@scottpierson7495]

And if there are queen cells what do you do. Made splits and had open brood in the box. Had her in cage for 24 hours tried releasing yesterday. Sat there and watched her get rolled up. Ended up taking 6 stings trying to get them off her. She looked ok. Put her back in cage. I will wait longer. Any suggestions should I pull open larvae out?

[@LittleBitsHoneyBeesjoemay]

If they make queen cells they probably won't accept her virgins are funny things. I try to put cells in 95% of the time it works the best. Virgins you can put 20 in no problem and the next 10 they kill all of them.

[@scottpierson7495]

Little Bits Honey Bees joe may Thanks Joe May, Yep they just killed another, Done! Gave them a frame of eggs, larvae, and brood. From a Saskatraz all star. See what happens. Thank You Joe May

[@herbertjacobs8422]

So with a virgin, you don't have to introduce her in the cage for a few days? And also, I will have to break some of my hives down to make room for 3 virgins. Would bees from a laying working hive be good to use or should I not try it?

[@LittleBitsHoneyBeesjoemay]

I would put her in a hive for 24 hrs open the end of the cage spit all over her then put cage bank in the hive opened leave alone for ten days.

[@virgilcrites8906]

I’ve thought about trying some Buckfast but the research I’ve come up with says they tend to get aggressive if they requeen have you seen this? Thanks Virgil

[@LittleBitsHoneyBeesjoemay]

Only the buckfast out of Texas get mean they have African genes in them.

[@ApiaryManager]

Many years ago, I had Buckfasts from Br Adam himself. They were nice bees but even the first generation of daughter queens could be aggressive. It comes down to the drones that those virgins mate with. I only breed pure carnies now

[@LittleBitsHoneyBeesjoemay]

@@ApiaryManager I agree with you the aggression mostly come from the drone. I flood my mating area with my drones not had any problems yet.

[@ApiaryManager]

@@LittleBitsHoneyBeesjoemay Me too. You never can tell what other people around you have though. I noticed on one of your other videos that you II queens. I do too. My breeding stock is either II or island mated (Off the German or Dutch coast - I have a video on my channel that shows how it's done if you're interested). These queens are tested during the first year of their life and only the best (based on breeding values) are propagated to make the next generation.

[@LittleBitsHoneyBeesjoemay]

@@ApiaryManager I run some pure lines also but I am mainly working on my line. Breeding my line around four traits. VHS,chewing,honey production and calmness.

[@craigsheehan2805]

Does this method work equally as well when introducing a virgin queen into a full sized double deep hive that the queen has been removed from? Thanks for all your videos!

[@LittleBitsHoneyBeesjoemay]

I have had about the same luck.

[@herbertjacobs8422]

Why is that you don't have to introduce a virgin in a cage?