Marking a queen bee is a delicate process that requires specialized tools to ensure the queen's safety and visibility. The most commonly used tool is a non-toxic, water-based queen bee marking pen, designed to create a small, durable dot on the queen's thorax without harming her. These pens are highly pigmented for visibility and tested beforehand to ensure proper function. Additional tools like queen catchers or marking tubes help safely restrain the queen during marking. The process demands precision—applying a small dot on the thorax while avoiding sensitive areas like wings, eyes, or antennae. For new beekeepers, water-based art pens are recommended for their ease of use and safety.
Key Points Explained:
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Type of Pen Required
- Non-toxic, water-based paint pens are the standard for queen marking. They are safe for the bee and dry quickly.
- Highly pigmented to ensure visibility against the queen’s dark exoskeleton.
- Tested before use to confirm ink flow and consistency.
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Proper Application Technique
- A small, solid dot is placed on the top center of the thorax (the middle section of the body).
- Avoid painting the antennae, eyes, wings, or legs, as this could impair the queen’s function.
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Supporting Tools for Safe Marking
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Queen marking tube or cage: Restrains the queen gently during the process.
- The tube uses a soft foam plunger to hold the queen against a mesh for marking.
- A cage temporarily secures the queen against the comb.
- Queen catcher: Helps isolate the queen without injury.
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Queen marking tube or cage: Restrains the queen gently during the process.
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Color Coding System
- Beekeepers use a standardized 5-year color cycle (white, yellow, red, green, blue) to track the queen’s age.
- Example: A queen marked in 2023 would use red, as it’s the color for years ending in 3 or 8.
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Why Marking Matters
- Tracking longevity: Helps beekeepers monitor the queen’s productivity and plan replacements.
- Hive management: Ensures the queen is easily identifiable during inspections or requeening.
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Beginner Recommendations
- New beekeepers should start with water-based art pens (e.g., Posca or Uni Paint markers) for their forgiving application and low toxicity.
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Safety Precautions
- Work quickly but calmly to minimize stress on the queen.
- Perform marking during warm, dry weather to avoid chilling the hive.
This careful balance of the right tools, technique, and timing ensures the queen remains healthy while providing beekeepers with critical hive-management insights.
Summary Table:
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pen Type | Non-toxic, water-based paint pens (e.g., Posca, Uni Paint) |
| Application Spot | Small dot on the thorax (avoid wings, eyes, antennae) |
| Color Coding | 5-year cycle: white (1/6), yellow (2/7), red (3/8), green (4/9), blue (5/0) |
| Supporting Tools | Queen catcher, marking tube/cage for restraint |
| Beginner Tips | Use water-based art pens for easy, low-risk marking |
| Safety | Work quickly in warm weather to minimize stress |
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