marking queens?

[rookie2531]

I get so frustrated, whenever i really need to know where she is, i can't find her. I seem to find her when it does nt matter much. But i made another starter yesterday and didn't get it as full as i wanted because of fear of putting her in it. I will try to put more in it today.

But how do you mark them? Do you use marking cups or hold them with your hand.

[don2]

Get you a bottle of plain white out. Start by practicing on drones. the white will ware off quicker than paint. when you are ready to mark a queen get the color that matches the year of the international color code. the main purpose for marking to begin with was to keep track of their age. right off the top of my head I don't recall which colors are for which year. never used it.
The queens will not sting as readily as the workers. or you can order/or make you a queen marking cage. d2

[OldMech]

I use red paint to mark exclusively as I usually know how old they are by the box/situation they are in, as well as records I keep....
    If you want to sell them use the designated color.. but I really dislike the White, green, and yellow. Just blends in with the pollen after it ages a bit.



 INTERNATIONAL QUEEN MARKING COLOR CODE

           Color                     Years ending in

          White (or gray)        1 or 6

          Yellow                       2 or 7

          Red                           3 or 8

          Green                       4 or 9

          Blue                          5 or 0

   I use RED all the time because it is easy to spot for my eyes.   Testers model paint and a grass stem, and as stated, practice on DRONES.. 

[rookie2531]

I will practice on drones first, thanks guys.

I do remember the colors: will you raise good bees.

Starting with year 1. White, yellow, red, green, blue.

[capt44]

I mark my queens with the international color for that particular year.
This year is BLUE.
I just reach down and pick up the queen by the wings or by the sides.
I then transfer her to my other hand holding her by her hind legs.
I then put a dab of paint on her thorax using the paint pen.
It's so easy if a person wants a marked queen I just mark her as a courtesy.

[sc-bee]

I mark my queens with the international color for that particular year.
This year is BLUE.
I just reach down and pick up the queen by the wings or by the sides.
I then transfer her to my other hand holding her by her hind legs.
I then put a dab of paint on her thorax using the paint pen.
It's so easy if a person wants a marked queen I just mark her as a courtesy.

I wish I found it that easy.... not so with my big, overly large hands and fingers

[Michael Bush]

Get next year's color and mark a thousand drones.  If that is going really smoothly, THEN try a queen... with this year's color

[GSF]

When marking always remember to dab the pen you're using on another surface first. Sometimes the paint will pour out big time. I don't know but I've seen enough come out to make me think it could suffocate the queen.

[Michael Bush]

>>>>>When marking always remember to dab the pen you're using on another surface first.

REALLY IMPORTANT MESSAGE!

[rookie2531]

I will keep that in mind, if I ever get one. Right now I have a bottle of white-out. But still haven't used it. Maybe next year when I have more hives going. This year has been busy just trying to make queens.

[capt44]

I hear that Rookie.
I'm going to graft again Tuesday.

[drjeseuss]

For practice (fun) mark drones.  I did drones in each hive a different color.  Then when I went in to inspect the following day, I saw all colors in each hive.  It's interesting to see how fast they intermingle, and also shows how easily disease or pest can run so quickly through an apiary!