The release of the queen is a collaborative biological process. After installation, the queen is released when the bees consume a sugar candy plug blocking the cage's exit. This creates a tunnel that allows her to walk out into the hive once the colony is ready to receive her.
The candy plug acts as a crucial timing mechanism, ensuring the release is gradual. This delay gives the colony several days to acclimate to the queen's pheromones, drastically reducing the chance of rejection or aggression.
The Mechanics of the Release
The Beekeeper's Initial Step
While the bees do the heavy lifting, the process usually requires a manual trigger. You must locate the candy end of the cage and remove the cork or cap covering it to expose the sugar to the colony.
The Consumption Process
Once the candy is exposed, the work is performed by two groups simultaneously. Package bees on the outside of the cage and the queen's attendant workers on the inside eat away at the sugar plug.
Clearing the Path
This consumption is not instantaneous; it typically takes several days. As the bees eat through the candy, they create a tunnel that eventually becomes wide enough for the queen to exit the cage.
Why Slow Release is Critical
Pheromone Acclimation
A new queen smells like a stranger to the package bees. The time required to chew through the candy forces the hive to live with her scent before they can physically touch her.
Establishing the Hierarchy
If a queen is released immediately, the colony often views her as an intruder and may ball (attack) her. The candy barrier ensures that by the time she is released, the workers have accepted her as their matriarch.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Forgetting the Cork
The most frequent error in queen installation is failing to remove the cork or cap on the candy end. If this physical barrier remains, the bees cannot access the candy, and the queen will effectively remain locked in solitary confinement.
Mismanaging Candy Hardness
Occasionally, the candy plug may be stale or too hard for the bees to chew through efficiently. If the candy feels rock-hard, you can use a small nail to carefully poke a hole through it, expediting the process without bypassing the safety delay entirely.
Ensuring a Successful Introduction
- If your primary focus is a standard installation: Remove the cork on the candy end and leave the bees to chew through the plug naturally over several days.
- If your primary focus is assisting a struggle (hard candy): Carefully poke a small hole through the center of the candy with a nail to give the bees a head start.
Trust the design of the cage; the delay is the most important factor in securing your queen's survival.
Summary Table:
| Stage of Release | Primary Action | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Beekeeper removes the protective cork | Exposes the candy plug to the workers |
| Consumption | Bees eat through the sugar candy tunnel | Acts as a natural timing mechanism |
| Acclimation | Pheromones spread while queen is caged | Reduces colony aggression and rejection |
| Emergence | Queen exits once the path is clear | Ensures a safe, accepted hive matriarch |
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