QUEEN CELLS - Coach Dispatches

Cells are packed at Kereru between 6.30 am. & 10 am, taken to Hastings and sent on coach services between 7.30 am and 1pm. Cells generally arrive at your coach depot between 12 noon and 6 pm.

To avoid delays, please meet the coach on time.  If cells are supplied to

a “passenger only” drop off point, you must be waiting for the coach.

When your PolyPack is received, we recommend that you transfer cells

into a preheated CARRICELL, or, replace the water in the bottle. 

In very warm conditions this will not be necessary.  Use hand warm water only.

Some beekeepers bring water in a thermos flask for this purpose.

PLEASE RETURN THE POLYPACK PROMPTLY

1.     Empty water bottle.

2.     Replace all packaging material.

3.     Reverse address label.

4.     Post as soon as possible. – We urgently need to use the Poly Packs again.

(Non-returned PolyPacks incur a $50.00 charge.)

Care and Use of Queen Cells

·    Queen cells are supplied at 9-10 days old. They are due to hatch on the 11th or 12th day.

      It is very important to handle cells gently at all times and a natural downward position is preferable.

·    Queen cells should be kept at between 30 to 33°C, no hotter!  Keep lid on the PolyPack and do not leave in the sun.

·    For successful mating of new virgin queens, adequate mature drones need to he available. This is especially important to ensure successful mating in early spring.

·    Queen cells are best used on the day of arrival. If a delay is unavoidable, every care must be taken to ensure cells are kept at the correct temperature overnight.  (28 – 34 *C)

·    Old queens are best removed I or 2 days before placing cells in the hive. This gives the bees time to realise their queenless state and they will more readily accept a cell.

·    Alternatively a protected cell may he placed in the hive immediately upon removal of the old queen. Use protective sleeves, tin foil or masking tape. Cover the sides of the cell only, leaving end free.

·    Some beekeepers use protected queen cells without removing the old queen, allowing a natural supercedure. This procedure is best performed during a honey flow.

·    Hives may be left queenless for up to a week before receiving cells, but self-started cells will need to be removed first, or alternatively, introduced cells must be protected.

·    Allow three weeks in favourable conditions and 4 weeks in poor conditions before checking for successfully mated and laying queens. Sight the queen or newly laid eggs. Do not unduly disturb the hive or check too early as this may cause the bees to turn on their young queen and kill her.

·    There are normally a percentage of queens that do not successfully mate and lay. Many variables affect this percentage, e.g. weather conditions, hive conditions and seasonal variations. With proper care and reasonable weather, a success rate of 75-80% may be expected.  In exceptional conditions, 95% success is quite common.

·    Poor weather or other negative factors will adversely affect mating and acceptance rates. Conversely, if conditions are favourable a higher percentage may result.

Regular requeening is an important part of colony management. Our queen cells will provide an improved genetic variability within your bee stocks, but remember that to make the most of good queens you need to follow sound beekeeping practices.

Thank you for purchasing our queen cells. We welcome your comments and wish you good results.

John & Judy Dobson
Beeline Ltd

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