7 précautions à prendre lors de l'introduction d'une reine fécondée

Introduction

This tutorial provides essential precautions to take when introducing a mated queen bee into a hive. Properly introducing a queen is critical to ensure her acceptance by the colony, minimizing the risk of her being killed or expelled. Follow these steps to enhance the chances of a successful introduction.

Step 1: Ensure the Colony is Queenless

• Verify that the hive is truly queenless, as a colony with a queen will not accept a new one.
• Look for signs of a queen, such as eggs or larvae.
• If necessary, wait a few days to confirm the absence of a queen.

Step 2: Remove Plastic Protection from the Cage

• Take the queen out of her shipping cage.
• Remove any plastic protective covering from the cage to allow the bees to access her.
• This step is crucial for enabling the bees to familiarize themselves with her scent.

Step 3: Puncture the Candy

• Use a tool to poke holes in the candy plug of the queen's cage.
• This allows the worker bees to start eating their way through the candy and gradually release the queen.
• Make sure not to damage the queen during this process.

Step 4: Introduce the Queen at the Brood Level

• Place the queen cage within the hive, ideally at the level of the brood (larvae and eggs).
• This positioning helps the bees to accept her better, as they are more focused on nurturing brood.

Step 5: Provide Sugar Syrup

• Offer a small amount of sugar syrup to encourage the bees to accept the queen.
• Prepare a 1:1 sugar to water mixture and place it near the queen's cage.
• This additional food source helps to calm the bees and foster a welcoming environment.

Step 6: Check for Release within 24-48 Hours

• After introducing the queen, check the hive after 24 to 48 hours.
• Look to see if the queen has been released from her cage; this indicates the bees have accepted her.
• If she remains in the cage, consider further steps to ensure acceptance.

Step 7: Wait a Week Before Checking for Acceptance

• Allow at least one week before checking the hive again for the queen's acceptance.
• During this time, the bees should have had enough opportunity to integrate her into the colony.
• Avoid disturbing the hive too frequently during this period.

Step 8: Remove Attendant Bees

• If the queen was introduced with attendant bees, remove them after a few days.
• Leaving them too long can lead to aggression or competition with the queen.
• Ensure that only the queen remains in the hive to ensure her safety.

Conclusion

Successfully introducing a queen bee requires careful attention and patience. By following these steps—ensuring the colony is queenless, properly preparing the queen's cage, and monitoring her acceptance—you can significantly enhance the chances of her being successfully integrated into the hive. After the introduction, keep an eye on the hive and avoid unnecessary disturbances to allow the colony to adjust to their new queen.