The international standard for marking queen bees utilizes a specific five-color rotation based on the last digit of the year the queen hatched. The cycle is: White (years ending in 1 or 6), Yellow (2 or 7), Red (3 or 8), Green (4 or 9), and Blue (0 or 5).
By adhering to this standardized color code, beekeepers can instantly determine the age of a queen and make informed management decisions regarding her productivity and replacement needs.
The Five-Year Color Cycle
Understanding the Rotation
The beekeeping industry uses a fixed five-year cycle to track queen age. This system relies entirely on the last digit of the current year.
Once the cycle concludes with a year ending in 0 or 5, it resets immediately to the beginning of the color order.
The Specific Schedule
- White: Years ending in 1 and 6 (e.g., 2021, 2026).
- Yellow: Years ending in 2 and 7 (e.g., 2022, 2027).
- Red: Years ending in 3 and 8 (e.g., 2023, 2028).
- Green: Years ending in 4 and 9 (e.g., 2024, 2029).
- Blue: Years ending in 0 and 5 (e.g., 2020, 2025).
Strategies for Retention
Using Mnemonics
Because the colors must be applied in a specific order to be useful, many beekeepers rely on a mnemonic device to recall the sequence.
The most common phrase is: "What, You Raise Green Bees?"
Breaking Down the Mnemonic
- What = White
- You = Yellow
- Raise = Red
- Green = Green
- Bees = Blue
Material Considerations and Trade-offs
Selecting the Marking Medium
While the color code is standard, the material used to apply the mark varies. Water-based art pens are often the preferred tool because they combine paint and applicator, offering precision and a wide range of standard colors.
Typing correction fluid is another viable option. It dries rapidly, which is critical for releasing the queen quickly. It contains aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents, which generally do not negatively impact the queen's pheromones or odor.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Enamel paints, such as those used for model kits, are available but present a trade-off. They are durable, but they often have slow drying times.
Using a slow-drying paint increases the risk of the queen being balled (attacked) by the colony if she is reintroduced before the paint is set, or the paint smearing and potentially blinding her.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
Whether you are a commercial apiarist or a hobbyist, applying this system requires consistency.
- If your primary focus is strict colony management: Adhere rigidly to the standard color for the current year to ensure you can accurately track queen longevity and plan requeening cycles.
- If your primary focus is simply locating the queen: You may choose a high-contrast color (like White or Yellow) regardless of the year, but be aware this sacrifices your ability to track her age at a glance in the future.
The goal of marking is not just identification, but creating a history of the hive that is visible the moment you open the lid.
Summary Table:
| Year Ends In | Color | Mnemonic Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 or 6 | White | What |
| 2 or 7 | Yellow | You |
| 3 or 8 | Red | Raise |
| 4 or 9 | Green | Green |
| 0 or 5 | Blue | Bees |
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