Queen cage/ queen catcher

[Lesgold]

Hi Folks,

I have been designing and making a few different styles of queen cages over the past month so that I can work on making hives broodless for a period of time next season. A commercial queen cage that caught my attention was the starting point for some of the designs. I was able to find a supplier online and decided to buy one just so that I could use it as a reference when making my own cages. I picked it up this morning and after comparing it to the ones that I have made, I?m quite happy with where I?m heading. The interesting part was what came with the cage. It was a queen catcher. Normally I just pin down the queen and pick her up in my fingers which works and does the job but the design of this plastic queen catcher caught my eye so I thought I?d show you all. Have a look at the picture and see if you can figure out how it works. It is used with one hand and looks as though it may be a good way of temporarily holding and safely transferring a queen. There are some clever people out there with a lot of time on their hands.

[Ben Framed]

Les maybe you can make a video showing close-up with queen in hand, of how the queen catcher works? 

I appreciate that you are always at it, Either inventing new ways and tools, new stuff; or improving your Honey Bee related equipment and aids. Keep up the good work!
And Thanks!

Phillip

[Michael Bush]

What I would like to 3D print is a marking device that looks like a Magnifying glass (handle on a circle) but has a mesh that the queen can't get through, but workers can.  I used to buy them but can't find one anymore.  I tried just using the circle with the mesh, but that doesn't work because you're always in your own way.  It needs the handle at an angle so it's away from the comb a bit when you have the queen pinned under it.  I'll try to find a picture.

[Lesgold]

Funny you should say that Michael. An extra piece that came with the kit was a device to pin the queen while you mark her. I will post a pic tomorrow morning. It relies on a thin rubber band to hold the queen down while you mark her.

[Ben Framed]

What I would like to 3D print is a marking device that looks like a Magnifying glass (handle on a circle) but has a mesh that the queen can't get through, but workers can.  I used to buy them but can't find one anymore.  I tried just using the circle with the mesh, but that doesn't work because you're always in your own way.  It needs the handle at an angle so it's away from the comb a bit when you have the queen pinned under it.  I'll try to find a picture.

I would like to see that picture Mr Bush if you find it.

Phillip

[Michael Bush]

This isn't what the one I had looked like but it's probably what a 3D printed version would look like:
https://irishbeehives.com/shop/queen-rearing/queen-marking/queen-marking-ring-with-handle/

[Ben Framed]

Thanks I don?t recall seeing that type.

[Terri Yaki]

Would these do the job or is there something about them that won't work?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125414486071

[Lesgold]

Your explanation was spot on Michael. That would be a good way of marking the queen as it would be quick, efficient and avoid any handling of the girl. Terri, the push in cage would also work. There are a heap of devices available for that purpose and most do work. It just comes down to what you feel comfortable using. Watching someone who performs the task well using their fingers is a real treat. Catching the queen, marking her and popping the queen in a cage with a couple of nurse bees only takes seconds. I would love to have that skill. If you look at the picture of the device that I posted, you may be able to see that there is a black lever inside the device. It is actually a bit like a broom. Once the queen is located, the catcher is placed over the queen and any bees surrounding her. The black lever is then pushed with one finger to force the queen into a funnel which secures her in a closed space. The catcher can then be lifted off the comb and then moved. It?s not clear in the photo but there is an escape hole in the end of the funnel. This hole is blocked with a sliding door so the queen can?t get out. When the queen needs to be removed, a finger that is holding the catcher is used to pull a lever that opens the trap door. In other words, the  catching and removal of the queen is done with one hand and leaves your other hand free to hold a brood frame, queen cage etc. I will try it out in the spring.

[Lesgold]

Here is a photo of a device that came with the queen cage. Basically the thin rubber band pins down the queens thorax while she gets marked. Interesting concept that may have to be tested.

[Ben Framed]

Hard to tell with the picture Les. Have you tried it on a drone just to see?

Phillip

[Lesgold]

Drones are just about finished for the season. I may try it out on a few worker bees if I get a warm day.

[Lesgold]

I?ve been using the queen catcher  quite a few times lately. You may be able to see her in the end of the catcher. I?ve just got her sitting on top of an isolation cage while other work is being done on a hive. The little funnel on the end of the queen catcher is tremendous for releasing her into a confined space. In this particular case, it was into the isolation cage after an empty frame was inserted. 10/10 for good design, ease of use when catching and holding the queen and releasing her into a confined, specific place.

[Ben Framed]

Les maybe you can make a video showing close-up with queen in hand, of how the queen catcher works? 

I appreciate that you are always at it, Either inventing new ways and tools, new stuff; or improving your Honey Bee related equipment and aids. Keep up the good work!
And Thanks!

Phillip