The installation of double-layer metal mesh dividers is a mandatory safety mechanism in double-queen beekeeping systems. These dividers serve two simultaneous, critical functions: they physically imprison each queen in her own domain to prevent lethal combat, while allowing the air—and specifically queen pheromones—to pass through freely. This creates a unique biological environment where two rival queens can power a single, massive workforce without killing one another.
Core Insight: The double-layer mesh acts as a selective filter—it is a physical wall for the queens but an open window for chemical communication. This allows the hive to achieve "olfactory fusion," confusing the workers into accepting a dual-monarchy and collaborating on massive honey production.
The Mechanics of Queen Isolation
Preventing Lethal Conflict
In nature, honeybee queens are fiercely territorial. If two queens meet within a hive, instinct dictates they fight until one eliminates the other.
The primary function of the double-layer mesh is absolute physical isolation. It ensures that while the queens share a hive structure, they can never make physical contact.
Why Double-Layer Matters
A single layer of screen might allow the queens to touch or sting one another through the gaps.
By utilizing a double-layer design, you create a "dead zone" of air between the two screens. This guarantees that even if both queens are on the divider, they remain out of reach, ensuring the survival of both monarchs.
Establishing a Uniform Colony Scent
The Circulation of Pheromones
While physical separation is about safety, the mesh’s permeability is about colony cohesion.
For a hive to function, the workers must remain calm and unified. The metal mesh allows for the free circulation of queen pheromones throughout the brood chambers.
Achieving Olfactory Fusion
Workers in a beehive identify their colony and their queen by scent. In a standard hive, there is only one scent source.
In a double-queen system, the mesh facilitates olfactory fusion. The pheromones from both queens mix within the hive, creating a single, uniform colony scent.
This shared scent ensures that workers do not divide into warring factions. Instead, they perceive the hive as a single unit, allowing bees from both brood chambers to coexist and collaborate.
Understanding the Trade-offs
The Fragility of the Barrier
The success of this system relies entirely on the integrity of the divider. If the mesh is damaged or dislodged, the physical isolation fails immediately.
Once the barrier is breached, the queens will seek each other out. This results in the death of at least one queen, instantly reverting the hive to a single-queen system and negating your efforts.
Dependency on Airflow
The system assumes that air moves freely between the chambers. If the mesh becomes clogged with propolis or wax, pheromone circulation stops.
Without the constant mixing of scents, the colony may segregate. Workers could become aggressive toward the "foreign" bees or queen on the other side of the blocked divider.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To successfully implement a double-queen system, you must prioritize the integrity of your equipment.
- If your primary focus is Colony Survival: Ensure the mesh is strictly double-layered to prevent stinging through the screen and guarantee the safety of both queens.
- If your primary focus is Honey Production: Monitor the mesh regularly to ensure it remains clean, allowing the maximum flow of pheromones required for full workforce collaboration.
The double-layer mesh is the linchpin of this method, transforming a potential civil war into a unified powerhouse of production.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Single-Layer Mesh | Double-Layer Mesh (Required) |
|---|---|---|
| Queen Separation | Risk of physical contact/stinging | Absolute physical isolation |
| Pheromone Flow | High | High (with safety dead-zone) |
| Colony Cohesion | High risk of queen loss | Creates stable "Olfactory Fusion" |
| Primary Purpose | Simple ventilation | Preventing lethal combat between queens |
| System Stability | Low - fragile and risky | High - reliable for massive workforces |
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References
- Ramón Rebolledo R, Alfonso Aguilera P. Estudio comparativo de la producción de polen y miel en un sistema de doble reina versus una por colmena en La Araucanía, Chile. DOI: 10.4067/s0718-34292011000200018
This article is also based on technical information from HonestBee Knowledge Base .
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